Tim Parkinson has spent his whole life in education. In 1986 he gained a place at St Peter's College, Oxford University to study Jurisprudence [Law]. During the first year he switched to Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE), and specialised in Politics and Economics after Year I.

In 1990 he joined Winchester College as the youngest member of the teaching staff. He taught Economics, German, and Division, Winchester College's unique liberal studies course. In 1998 he was awarded a Master of Arts degree from Oxford University, and in 2001 a Master of Science degree from the University of Greenwich. From 2003 to 2007 he was Head of Economics at Winchester College. In 2007 he founded Kingsgate Management Limited and Kingsgate Education.

Tim speaks German, French, Italian, Spanish, and some Chinese. He is a qualified private pilot and enjoys reading, flying, travel, and writing.