Charles studied at Cambridge and Oxford Brookes Universities where he won competition and year awards. He lives in Oxford where he helped to establish and now runs the Oxford office of MEB Design Ltd. His family background is in construction and development, and he has a particular interest in sustainability. He has previously been short-listed for two RIBA Prizes and is currently an Examiner and Lecturer for the RIBA and Oxford Brookes University. He has been working recently with several Christian organisations, and for several years with a charitable project in Kenya. Charles enjoys most sports, especially hockey, skiing and surfing.