Neil was born in Troon on the west coast of Scotland in 1963 and runs a practice advising foreign investors in the UK and Europe. He is married with three daughters (Freemasonry has therefore become his ‘man cave’). Outside of family and Masonry Neil has keen interests in mountaineering, mixed gas diving, wreck research and malt whisky.

Neil was introduced to Freemasonry by his father and was initiated into Welwyn Garden City Lodge No 5748 in 1991. He has gone on to join Salisbury Union Lodge No 767, Hertfordshire Masters' Lodge No 4090, Lodge of the Red Rampant Lyon No 9843 and the Hertfordshire Provincial Grand Stewards' Lodge No 8984. He is also an active member of the Royal Arch and Rose Croix.