In 1983 he toured New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions whilst playing for London Welsh RFC.

[3] He made his Welsh debut on 1 November 1980 against the All Blacks at Cardiff, at the age of 19.

[4] He also played rugby league, turning professional on 13 April 1986 when he signed for Whitehaven in Cumbria.

In 2012, Ackerman taught Physical Education at St Patrick's College, Silverstream, New Zealand.

[5] He moved to live and work in Melbourne in February 2017, as the Director of Coaching for Rugby at Haileybury College, and is currently a Casual Relief Teacher in Regional Victoria, Australia.