Neil qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 1983. He is a Diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine, Specialist in Avian Medicine and an FRCVS. Neil was responsible for teaching avian medicine at Bristol Vet School from 2001–2011. He has lectured internationally for many years, has contributed to more than sixty-five peer review papers and to more than thirty-seven books.  Neil has received multiple national and international awards and is a past President of both, The European College of Zoological Medicine and The European Board of Specialisation.

Neil headed up Great Western Exotic Vets (part of the Vets Now group) in Swindon, from 2004 to 2017.  He now consults part-time at a range of national and internal locations.  He is otherwise occupied with voluntary conservation work with critically endangered vultures, lecturing, and managing other consultancy instructions.