John Beckett MA(Oxon) was born in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. He won a scholarship to Bradford Grammar School and was awarded an Open Exhibition to read philosophy, politics and economics at Jesus College, Oxford. He took a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at Leeds University and taught history and economics at Leeds Grammar School and Prince Henry’s Grammar School in Otley before changing career and qualifying as a solicitor. He practised law for almost 40 years, specialising in commercial property development and taught commercial property for the College of Law. For many years he spoke regularly at professional conferences across the country on various property law issues. He retired from practice in 2018, continues to live in West Yorkshire, and now has the spare time to indulge his lifelong loves of rugby and cricket.

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