John Dixon was born in Cardiff and lives in Llanpumsaint in Carmarthenshire. He was educated at Dinas Powys Primary School and Stanwell Comprehensive School in Penarth.

He has spent most of his life working in IT, as a programmer, analyst and manager, for a variety of companies, most recently working as a freelance Project Manager. He now works freelance as a translator.

John was a councillor for fifteen years, twelve years on the Vale of Glamorgan Borough Council, and fifteen on the Dinas Powys Community Council. John was national treasurer of Plaid Cymru for five years in the 1970s, and has also held a range of other posts, including Director of Organisation and National Chair, a post which he held from 1993-1994, and again since 2002.