Having started his working life in accountancy within a brief period Bernard joined a UK clearing bank and subsequently enjoyed a long-term career spanning 35 years within the Banking Industry. Regular promotion every 2/3 years provided a wealth of business experience in a variety of roles, economic conditions and geographical locations.

In 1990 Bernard was appointed to a senior management role in Oxfordshire and has lived in Bodicote near Banbury since that time. He later moved into General Management when taking on line management responsibilities for some 21 offices and 350 managers and staff within the Oxford Area. He left banking in 1998 and since that time has provided business advice to local companies as a management consultant.

Bernard became a governor of North Oxfordshire College in 1992 and joined the board of Oxford & Cherwell Valley College on incorporation in 2003.

A lifetime interest in sport continues and he swims, cycles and plays golf regularly having recently retired as a tri-athlete. Bernard has always taken an active interest in the local community were he has lived and is a Rotarian and a member of other service groups. He is married to wife Julie and they have a son and daughter.