Alistair was born in 1955, is married to Eve, has two adult children and is a Grandad. They live in Wootton, Bedfordshire. Educated at Bury GS, Lancashire and Oxford University. Qualifying as a solicitor in 1980, he worked in practice in London until 1983.

Alistair and Eve are members of St Mary’s Church, Wootton. Alistair is on the Board of Patrons of Habitat for Humanity GB, a charity tackling poverty housing on a global scale and an Ambassador to Prospects, an organisation working together with people with learning disabilities to ensure they can lead fulfilled lives, plus is connected to several local organisations serving Bedfordshire.

He plays football, runs regularly, and has completed nine London Marathons.

In May 2010, Alistair was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Minister for the Middle East and South Asia.