Ben started learning the piano at age seven in his hometown of Glossop, Derbyshire. At age fifteen he took up the French Horn and, two years later, in 2010 he attended the Junior Royal Northern College of Music where he studied horn under Tom Redmond, and piano/composition as his second study. During his time there Ben played in the JRNCM Brass Band (albeit on French horn), which sparked his interest in the brass band movement.

At the University of Huddersfield Ben majored in composition and played in the Symphonic Wind Orchestra and Brass Band under Philip McCann. At this time Ben composed his first major work for brass band entitled "The Mist", a programmatic work that received its world premiere by the University Brass Band and Phillip McCann in 2013.

After graduating Ben worked with Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band as their Composer/Arranger in Residence. Since then Ben has created a variety of new solos and concert music for the band.