The Honourable Dato’ Seri Haji Norizan bin Khazali was born on 21 November 1966 in Pendang, Kedah. The son of the late Khazali bin Hamid and Puan Hajah Sofiah binti Baharom, he received his early education at Sekolah Kebangsaan Pendang before pursuing higher education at the University of Malaya, where he obtained a Bachelor's Degree in 1990. In 2008, he completed a Master's Degree in Land Administration and Development at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

Dato’ Seri Haji Norizan married Datin Seri Norhasni binti Ishak in 2000, and they are blessed with three children: two sons, Nur Izzat Hamizan and Nur Isyraf Hamizan, and a daughter, Nur Aisyah Fatima.

He began his career as a Kedah State Administrative Officer on 1 December 1991. Over the next 17 years, he served in various land and district administration roles, including Chief Assistant District Officer and District Officer. Dato’ Seri Haji Norizan also played a significant role in the State's economic development, serving as Deputy Director of the State Economic Planning Unit and Deputy State Secretary (Development). During his tenure, he contributed to the formulation of key development initiatives, including Kedah Rubber City and Kedah Aerotropolis.

In addition, he has served on the boards of several state-owned companies and statutory bodies, including the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) and Syarikat Air Darul Aman. He has also represented the Kedah State Government at various international programmes and engagements.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dato’ Seri Haji Norizan has received numerous honours and awards, including the Excellent Service Award, the Bintang Cemerlang Kedah (B.C.K.), the Ahli Mahkota Kedah (A.M.K.), the Dato’ Setia Diraja Kedah (D.S.D.K.), and the Darjah Seri Setia Diraja Kedah (S.S.D.K.).