Giles grew up near Settle and after working in London and Hong Kong returned to his family home in 1987 where he lives with his wife. He has two grown up children. In his working life he has been an insurance broker, an investment manager and the Bursar at Giggleswick School until 2016. 

John has chaired the Conservative Policy Forum since its inception. Prior to this John was the Chair of the Independent Association of Preparatory Schools where he was Headteacher for a total of 22 years.