Mark grew up in the nearby town of Triangle and fostered a love for the bush from his youth with frequent visits to Gonarezhou National Park and Lone Star Ranche. Mark holds a Bachelor of Social Science from Rhodes University (South Africa) and a diploma in tobacco culture from Blackfordby Institute. Mark farmed tobacco for 10 years before being appointed Executive Director of The Malilangwe Trust in 2010. Mark is devoted to growing strong relationships, not just within the borders of Malilangwe but with neighbours, communities, and partners. He is a board member of the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust and sits on the Board of Trustees for Malilangwe.