Robin Cooper was educated in Kent and studied economics and geography at the London School of Economics, going on to study town and country planning and business administration at Birkbeck College and Westminster University.

He has worked on projects for the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, in various posts for the London Borough of Bromley, including as Head of Heritage and Urban Design, as Head of Strategic Planning for Canterbury City Council and Director of Development Services for Winchester City Council.

Having returned to live in Kent, his responsibilities as Director of Regeneration, Community and Culture for Medway Council include planning and environmental services, engineering, regulatory services and delivery of the Thames Gateway regeneration projects.