Brought up in Preston, Lancashire Adrian qualified as an actuary in 1975 in Liverpool after graduating in London four years earlier. From 1981 Adrian worked in Malaysia, returning to London in 1985. In 1989 Adrian was a founding partner of Barnett Waddingham LLP which has grown to become one of the largest firm of actuaries in the UK with 1,800 employees.
Adrian is active in the City of London Livery Companies, a Liveryman Actuary and a Liveryman Haberdasher, serving as Master the Worshipful Company of Actuaries in 2010. Adrian was elected a Sheriff in the City of London in 2013, and with his wife Angela lived in the Old Bailey for a year working closely with the Lord Mayor of London in promoting UK financial services.
Adrian was awarded a CBE in the Birthday Honours of 2012 for services to pensions, capping his award as Pension Personality of the Year in 2010.
Adrian is a past Chairman of the Epilepsy Society, a past Chairman of the City Music Foundation and an Honorary Fellow of his alma mater Royal Holloway College, University of London.
In retirement Adrian has turned to history, studying at Birkbeck in 2018/2019. His first book ‘Breakspear: the English Pope’ was published by The History Press in August 2022, already in its third edition. His second book on the history of England and Norway from 850 to 954 follows the first three kings of both countries, drawing out the connections. ‘First Kings’ was published by the History Press in January 2026.