Barrie joined the jewellery trade in 1975 as a salesman with Anglo Weightman Ltd after working as a design draughtsman in the petrochemical industry. Since then he has gained over 30 years of experience across a wide range of jewellery disciplines including wholesale, retail and manufacturing. He joined the global jewellery sourcing company International Bullion (known as IBB) in 1994 as Sales Director with offices and clients worldwide. He left IBB in January 2013 and joined jewellery importer and manufacturer Lawrence Blunt.
Barrie has served on the national committee of the British Jewellers Association since 2002. He was Vice Chairman of the Association from 2006 to 2008 and in February 2008 he took over from Martyn Pugh as Chairman.