Alastair was educated at Bedford School. He qualified in 1979, joined Payne Hicks Beach in 1986 and became a partner in 1987. He was previously a Senior Lecturer at the College of Law.

Alastair specialises in major estates and probates and was appointed head of the Private Client Department in 2009. He advises on estate planning and taxation matters, including advice on offshore trusts. He also deals with taxation planning for agricultural estates and advises on VAT in relation to property transactions.