George Burnett holds degrees in Classics and Law from the University of Glasgow and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accounts of Scotland. After holding a number of financial positions in industry, he and a business partner founded Ashtead Group PLC, now a major FTSE 100 company, where he was Managing Director and then Chief Executive. He was Chairman of Henderson Opportunities Trust and has been chairman of a number of private companies, including currently BOMAD Investments Ltd.

In the charitable sector, he was Chairman of what is now the University for the Creative Arts and is currently Chairman of The English Concert. He is also a trustee of two music societies. He has been working with Nicola in the establishment of the Foundation since 2018.