Born 23-12-45: in Penzance, Cornwall, but parents emigrated to southern Africa in 1947; brought up in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe

1953-58: Cecil John Rhodes primary school; 1958-64 Chaplin High School, Gwelo.

1963-64: American Field Service exchange student, Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA; graduated Klamath Union High School 1964.

1965-68: Salisbury (now Harare): University College of Rhodesia, B.A. (I-Ions) Lond.

1967-68: co-editor Black & White, a satirical magazine banned by the Rhodesian government August 1968- August 69: arrested on the university campus and restricted to home town of Gwelo under the Law & Order (Maintenance) Act; August 1969 order extended for a further year; exit permit to take up place at Edinburgh.

1969-1971: University of Edinburgh, M.Sc. Politics, thesis on the policies of the Rhodesian Front.

1972-1974: Freelance journalist based in London, contributing to The Scotsman, Observer, New Statesman 1975-1976: Staff appointment to Fmancial Mail (Ioharmesburg), based in Salisbury as Rhodesia correspondent.

1977-84: Fmancial Times - Africa correspondent, based in Lusaka, Zambia 1984- Fmancial Times: Africa editor, based in London.

As Africa editor co-ordinates coverage of the continent from staff correspondents and stringers in Johannesburg, Harare, Lilongwe, Nairobi, and Lagos; edits the Fmancial Times country surveys; and writes the editorials on Africa.

Office: Financial Times, 1 Southwark Bridge, London SEI Tel: 71-873-3000; direct line 071 873 3110.

Home: 71 Brokesley Street, London E3 4QI