Joel was born at East Glamorgan Hospital in Church Village and attended Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive School in Beddau.
Following his time at Bryn Celynnog, Joel studied History at the University of Bristol and completed his postgraduate degree in Welsh History at Cardiff University.
Prior to his election to the Senedd in 2021, Joel worked as a librarian at Cardiff Sixth Form College, one of the highest-rated schools in the United Kingdom. During his time at the college, Joel oversaw the development of their lecture programme.
He also worked for the Rt. Hon Alun Cairns MP for the Vale of Glamorgan.
Joel was the first ever Conservative councillor elected to Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council in 2008, winning the seat of Llantwit Fardre. He contested the Pontypridd Assembly/Senedd constituencies in the 2011, 2016 and 2021 Welsh elections.
On the 8th of May 2021, Joel was elected to the Senedd as a regional Member for South Wales Central. On the 27th of May 2021, he was appointed to the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Social Partnership a portfolio that covers many issues such as; public services (including community fire safety, the Wales and Africa programme, the Coal tip policy and the promotion of sustainable development.
As an MS, Joel also sits on two different committees; the Petitions Committee and also the Local Government and Housing Committee. He is also Chair of the Liver Disease and Liver Cancer Cross-Party Group in the Senedd.
Changes to the rules in 2022 meant that Joel was unable to remain as a County Councillor whilst serving as a Member of the Senedd. Therefore, he stood down from the Rhondda Cynon Taf County Council at the 2022 Local Government election. However, he remains a Community Councillor serving on Llantwit Fardre Community Council.