James Partridge grew up in Surrey and has lived in East Sussex since 1986. He holds a law degree from Cambridge University and qualified as a solicitor in 1983. He had a 35 year career advising owner managed businesses and charities on corporate and commercial matters and was senior partner of a regional law firm based in Kent. He was commissioned into the Army Reserve and joined the Sussex Yeomanry (then part of the Royal Artillery) in 1981. He served in various posts until 2012, reaching the rank of Colonel. He is now involved in local issues and as a volunteer with two military charities. He and his wife have two grown up children and live in Rotherfield.