Cliff graduated from Glasgow University with an Honours degree in Chemistry in 1985. He started his career in forensics that same year, joining the Home Office Forensic Science Service initially as a Scientific Officer, and later a Higher Scientific Officer, where he carried out forensic investigations for the Police including the investigation of fires and explosions.

In 1990 Cliff left the Forensic Science Service to become an Associate with Geoffrey Hunt & Partners where he specialised in fire and explosion investigation, becoming a Partner in the firm in 1995 and Senior Partner in 2008. Cliff joined Halliwell Forensics from Geoffrey Hunt & Partners in 2023 and continues to specialise in the investigation of fires and explosions.

Cliff is a Chartered Chemist, a Chartered Scientist, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, and a Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers. He has provided his expertise in some of the most high-profile fire investigations in the UK, giving evidence in the Civil, Criminal and Coroners’ Courts, and at a Public Inquiry.