Christopher studied architecture at Bristol University and graduated in 1978. He joined Grimshaw in 1982 and has since been responsible for the design and timely delivery of many of the practice's high profile buildings, including the Financial Times Printing Works in London's Docklands and the British Pavilion for the Seville Expo '92.

The Western Morning News Headquarters in Plymouth and the RAC Regional Headquarters near Bristol followed, along with two teaching institutes at the University of Surrey and the National Space Centre in Leicester. Christopher directed Grimshaw's involvement in the Fifth Expansion of Zurich Airport in Switzerland; an eight-year project that came to a close in September 2004 with the successful completion of the Airside Centre. He is currently involved with the ongoing development of the Cutty Sark conservation project.