John studied Botany at the University of Sheffield and after graduating in 1974, he remained there completing a PhD and two periods of postdoctoral research on host-pathogen interactions. These included studies of Albugo tragopogonis and Puccinia lagenophorae on Oxford ragwort (Senecio squalidus), Puccinia hordei on barley and Puccinia poarum on coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara). He then moved to AFRC Letcombe laboratory and worked on quantifying carbon flow in the rhizosphere and microbial population dynamics associated with roots, which generated a long-lasting interest in soil biology. He joined HRI in 1982, working first at Littlehampton and then at Wellesbourne and has developed programmes of work on aetiology and biological control of soil-borne and foliar pathogens. Particular interests have included the biology and control of sclerotia-forming fungi such as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Sclerotium cepivorum, as well as damping-off fungi and the tomato powdery mildew Oidium neolycopersici.  Mycoparasitism especially involving Coniothyrium minitans has also been a long-term area of study. In addition, he also has interests in microbial ecology, microbial interactions including mycorrhizas, and mycology. These broad areas of study are reflected in his varied sources of funding (including the BBSRC, EU, Defra, HDC, HGCA, Horticulture LINK and industry) and publications covering the entire spectrum from fundamental basic research to the highly practical. He has travelled widely and has given numerous invited lectures including the Garrett Memorial lecture at the BSPP meeting in 2005. He has been a member of the BSPP since 1989. He currently also serves on the Council of the British Mycological Society and the International Organisation for Biological control (WPRS).

In 1994 he received a DSc from the University of Sheffield and was awarded an Honorary Professorship there in 1999. In 2003 he was made a Guest Professor at the Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China. He is currently a Professor and Research Unit Leader at Warwick HRI at the University of Warwick.

His other interests include exercise in the form of running and walking which are needed to counter-balance the love of good food, wine, beer and cooking.

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