Robert trained as a Civil Engineer and has spent more than 40 years working in emergency relief and poverty alleviation. He has mainly specialized in water supply and sanitation for low income communities and post disaster relief. Up to 2015 he spent 30 years lecturing at Loughborough University undertaking a wide range of teaching, research and consultancy activities related to his specializations. He is now retired but still undertaking short consultancies and voluntary activities related to water supply and sanitation.