Born in British India, Finch was educated at Felsted School and the College of Law.

He joined Linklaters in 1969, progressed to Partner in 1974,[1] and Head of Real Estate from 1997 to 1999.

[2] Linklaters' most Senior Partner, he left the firm on 1 July 2005 to become Chairman of property developer Liberty International,[2] overseeing its transition to a REIT when the status was first introduced.

[3] In 2008, following a change to the voting system to the Court of Aldermen, he was successfully challenged by a previously unheard-of young lawyer, Matthew Richardson (now Alderman), in a close-fought campaign.

[4] Finch admitted to having overspent on the campaign, by not declaring the use of Liberty's company car and chauffeur.