After gaining a chemical engineering degree from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), UK, Miles obtained his first experience of practice in the Heavy Organic Chemicals division of Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) where he was initially a plant manager and then advisor to the production management on optimisation of production schedules.

Postgraduate training in operational research started his career in management and economic consultancy, and safety consultancy where he was a founder of one of the leading companies specialising in major hazards. He moved on to become a senior executive in an engineering services company which specialised in certification through testing and management systems and played a significant role in developing management systems certification. Currently, he is an independent adviser drawing upon his previous experiences.