Born the son of Sir Robert McAlpine, 1st Baronet, after completing his education he served an apprenticeship across the family construction and civil engineering business.
[1] Having been appointed to run McAlpine (Midlands) Ltd, which covered the Midlands and Northwest of England, in 1935 following the death of Sir Robert and his eldest son, Alfred ran the company independently.
Under a non-compete agreement with its former parent company, Sir Alfred McAlpine confined itself to civil engineering and to the north west of England.
[4] He was appointed an Officer of the Venerable Order of Saint John on 20 December 1937.
Home to the Marchwiel and Wrexham Cricket Club, Alfred developed it as "one of the most picturesque settings for playing the game in the country".