Special advisor to the Minister for Food and Horticulture graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 1983 with honours business degree and higher diploma in education.
Founded a garden centre adjacent to family wholesale nursery business in 1984. As Managing Director, redeveloped site in 1990 and doubled the turnover within 3 years. Won Bord Bia award "Best Garden Centre in Ireland 1994 – 95".
During this period helped found both the Garden Centre Association (GCAI) and the garden centre buying group GIO. Elected Chairperson of GCAI and was a board member of the International Garden Centre Association 1996 – 1998. Following sale of the business in 1998 developed both a horticulture consultancy business and a broadcasting career.
Commissions from commercial business and state agencies followed. In 2000, commissioned to bring the different strands of the amenity horticulture industry together to form the Amenity Horticulture Council and was its first Chairman. Green Party member since 1989, he became Green Party's first General Secretary in 2003 and 2004.
November 2007 appointed as Special Advisor to the Minister for Food and Horticulture, Trevor Sargent.