Joel was born Beddau and attended Bristol University where he read History before attending Cardiff University to read for a Master’s degree in Welsh History.
Before his election to the Senedd, Joel worked for the Rt. Hon Alun Cairns MP for the Vale of Glamorgan and as librarian for the Cardiff Sixth Form College, one of the highest rated schools in the United Kingdom and oversaw the development of their lecture programme.
Joel was the first Conservative councillor elected to Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council in 2008, winning the seat of Llatwit Fardre and Efail Isad Ward and has contested the Pontypridd Assembly/Senedd constituencies at the 2011, 2016 and 2021 Welsh elections.
He was elected to the Senedd as a regional Member for South Wales Central in the 2021 Senedd Elections. Following this election, he was appointed to the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Social Partnership. Following changes to the rules, Joel was unable to remain a County Councillor whilst serving as a Member of the Senedd, so stood down from Rhondda Cynon Taf County Council at the 2022 Local Government election. However, he remains a Community Councillor serving on Llantwit Fadre Community Council.