Burrowes was born in Cockfosters and was educated at Highgate School and the University of Exeter. Whilst at Exeter, in 1990, Burrowes and Tim Montgomerie founded the Conservative Christian Fellowship. Before entering parliament he worked for Enfield solicitors, Shepherd Harris and Co, specialising in criminal law and was an advocate in police stations and courts in Enfield, Haringey and Hertfordshire. He was an Enfield Borough Council councillor for 12 years.
