John lives in Kilbirnie with wife Linda, and their three young children Rachel, Iain and Scott.

Born and bred in the Garnock Valley John studied at Glengarnock Primary, and Garnock Academy before graduating from the University of Strathclyde in 1983. He has worked in IT for over 37 years before the pandemic.

First elected as local councillor for Kilbirnie North in 1999, since 2003 he been elected as one of the three councillors for Kilbirnie & Beith ward in the new council, and he has served as Depute Leader of the Council with Cabinet reponsibilty for Education Services under the new system..

A founder member of the Radio City Association in 1998 he was a director of the company for 20 years. Outside work his interests include cycling, gardening  and watching the local football team.