Nigel Copage was born in Dorset in 1951 and was educated at Christchurch Grammar School. He studied Engineering at Bath University but in 1975 retrained as a teacher and taught English in Bournemouth for several years. In 1980 he joined the British Council and was posted to Portugal, Abu Dhabi, Malaysia and Greece. His last job with the Council was Director of the British Council Teaching Centre in Athens.

In 1995 he left the British Council to set up International Management Studies a business school based in Athens which offers a range of business related masters degrees as well as short company seminars.

In his spare time he plays bridge, listens to jazz and runs with a local jogging club, the Athens Hash House Harriers

He also organises a walking club in the Athens area the Saturday Afternoon Strollers.