Commenced his career in financial public relations in 1974, after seven years in journalism. In 1976, at the age of 27, he became a Director of Charles Barker City and was made head of the financial public relations division in 1979. He joined Grandfield Rork Collins as Managing Director in 1983 and subsequently became Chairman of the group's financial communications operations. He founded Cardew & Co., the forerunner to Cardew Group, in 1991.

During more than three decades of City experience he has advised numerous businesses and organisations on a wide range of issues encompassing M&A activity, IPOs, Demergers, capital raising, corporate restructuring and crisis management. His clients have included some of the most prominent companies in the world.