Alan began his career as a structural geologist at Liverpool University, studying for his PhD (completed in 1984) on the structure of the northern Scottish Highlands.   This work resulted in several publications. In 1984 he moved from Liverpool to Britoil in Glasgow to begin work as an exploration/production geologist.   While at Britoil he began what was to become a long-term association with studies of the structural evolution of the Viking Graben, in collaboration with his then and current colleague Graham Yielding.

In 1986 Alan moved to Badleys and the current group of structural geologists, with Mike Badley at the helm, began to develop.   In addition to traditional geological skills Alan is an experienced seismic interpreter, at all scales from regional data to complete 3D surveys.   Since the late 1980s he has worked closely with Prof. Nick Kusznir at Liverpool University on the application of structural and stratigraphic basin-modelling techniques to problems in the exploration sector.   This work began with 2D analysis of rift basins using Badleys' Stretch and Flex Decomp software, but has recently expanded to embrace 3D-modelling of rift basins and passive margins.   This, and other work, has produced a steady flow of published papers

In recent years, Alan has been heavily involved in research into the structure of contintental margins. He was Principal Investigator on the iSIMM project and is currently working with Nick Kusznir on the successor project MM2 (Modelling of Margins Phase 2). MM2 is funded by an industry consortium. Alan is also a member of the UK IODP Industrial Liaison Panel.

In addition to his work at Badleys Alan has been closely involved with the Geological Society of London. He has been structural geology editor for the Journal of the Geological Society (1994-1998), Series Editor for Special Publications (1997-1998) and was Honorary Secretary, Publications, for four years (1998-2002).   He continues his interest through ongoing committee memberships. Alan was awarded the William Smith fund in 1994 for contributions to understanding extensional tectonics.

Alan is Managing Director of Badley Geoscience Limited.