I was born in England in 1949. In 1972, I graduated from Keble College, Oxford University with an Honours degree in Mathematics. The following year, I completed a Post-graduate Certificate in Education at Exeter University.

I have toured the world extensively and have lived for more than twelve years in the Solomon Islands. My wife of forty years, Sarah, is a Solomon Islander. We now live in New Zealand.

I was a High School teacher of mathematics and am the former Principal of King George VI National Secondary School, Solomon Islands.

I am now pursuing a new career as an author using the pen name Les Bill Gates. ‘Hope’, the first part of the fantasy trilogy ‘Windows on Our World’, was fully revised in 2018 and is now published by Barnes & Noble Press. ‘Faith’, the second part of the trilogy, is also published by Barnes & Noble Press. The final part, ‘Love’, is now in progress. I have also completed a Sci-Fi novel, ‘The Power of Gnaris’ and an anthology of short stories.