About Me

I was born and raised in Maidstone, Kent and have lived in the county all of my life. My family have lived in Kent for generations and have played an integral part in my upbringing.

I attended Madginford Park Junior School, Bearsted and Vinter’s School for Boys, Maidstone, before going on to study at the University of Sussex where I gained a BSc Honours degree in Physics with Management Studies.

After graduating from Sussex, I began a career in the retail industry; firstly with Marks & Spencer plc where I worked my way up in a variety of roles, then moving onto a management position within the John Lewis Partnership where I have worked since January 2005. I currently work as an internal consultant within the Personnel Directorate where I work closely with the senior management team and directors of the John Lewis Management Board to offer learning and development solutions, maximising individuals’ and team performance to develop talent for the business for the future.

I have inherited a deep seated passion for cricket from my father and I am an avid follower of Kent County Cricket Club, where I spent many a day with my sister, parents and grandparents whilst growing up. To this day, I can often be found at the county cricket ground in Canterbury with my father.

I currently live in Penenden Heath in Maidstone. My interests include going to the gym and playing tennis. I also enjoy amateur dramatics and singing and have a grade IV singing qualification. I also enjoy travelling, gardening, going out for dinner and to the theatre and spending time with both family and friends.

Why am I a Conservative?

I had a modest upbringing, with the support of a very loving family that has put me in good stead throughout my life. I didn’t have a privileged childhood as I didn’t come from a particularly wealthy family. I was educated at the local comprehensive school and college and I quickly learnt from both my parents and grandparents that success came from working hard.

My maternal grandparents have been my true inspiration and I feel proud when people tell me that there are so many striking resemblances between me and my late grandfather - he perfectly demonstrated Conservative values. It is a fitting tribute to him and my grandmother, that my core values and beliefs and my unequivocal passion as a Conservative are grown from my relationship with them.

I believe in people working hard and being rewarded based on merit; in free enterprise and self empowerment, giving individuals the ability to achieve and progress and the freedom and choice to take control of their own lives. I believe the power of an individual is greater than the power of the state, and that the state should intervene only when necessary. I believe in a free society where people have opportunity and responsibility; where each person and every family, regardless of position or power or wealth, is able to fulfil their potential. And, I believe in protecting our national sovereignty, in promoting a strong and free Britain.

I place great importance on the strength of the family, something that has been of great value and instrumental in my own upbringing. Quite often today I believe you can attribute many problems in society with the breakdown of the family unit – I therefore hold that the importance placed on family life must be re-established.

My political experience

My first taste of political experience was in the 1980s, when I helped one of my local councillors at the time campaign for their local district council elections. My real interest and passion for politics was kindled by many a discussion on the failings of the Labour government, so I decided I wanted to do something to make a real difference.

I have been involved with the Conservative party since July 2005 and have held several positions in the voluntary party since that time. I was selected to stand as a council candidate in the May 2006 local elections at my very first meeting with my local constituency association office. I fought a gruelling six month doorstep campaign, overturning a long-held Liberal Democrat majority with a swing of 17% on my first attempt to become a local councillor.

I have sat on numerous committees in my time as a councillor; one of my key achievements has been to co-write a report opposing proposals to reconfigure local hospital services at Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust which helped hold the discredit the former chief executive, Rose Gibb.

I also currently hold the following positions of responsibility:

- Cabinet Member for Environment (Maidstone Borough Council).
- Deputy Chairman (political) – Maidstone and the Weald Conservative Association (MWCA).
- 72 Hour Campaign Director – key member of Helen Grant’s (MWCA PPC) general election campaign team.
- Member of Kent Area Executive Management Committee.

Why am I a local councillor?

I came into politics because I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to make a change at a local level and to champion the community in which I live. I had become frustrated with how poorly the local council had been run under the Liberal Democrats. I also felt that, despite my own personal challenges, I have been fortunate in life and that it was time to give something back to society. Recognising that not everyone had been as fortunate as me, I felt a real passion about making a difference.

I believe that politics is about people not policy. I strongly believe that having had diverse experiences outside of politics is vital to developing a well-grounded, successful, empathic career in politics. I believe that it is vital to have a range of experiences from both inside and outside of politics to be able to relate to people at all levels, and all walks of life.

I believe that I demonstrate broad appeal, and am in touch with today’s Britain. I understand the problems and lives of ordinary people have to deal with. Most of all, I pride myself on the highest personal standards of honesty, integrity, sincerity and trust and we know that this is today what people expect of their politicians.

If you too feel that you can make a difference in your community, why not consider becoming a local councillor.

Voluntary and community work

Community action
I am very active in the local community and have helped to fund community based projects and support many local community groups via my role as councillor and cabinet member.

Trustee on the Vinters Valley Park Trust
I am jointly responsible for reviewing and monitoring the management committee for the Trust, who oversee the running of the reserve. I support the Trust with fundraising initiatives to help finance ongoing projects.

International Development in Rwanda
In July 2009, I spent two weeks on Project ‘Umubano’, the party’s social action project, working in a small rural community in Rwanda called Rwamagana, teaching English to primary school teachers, helping them to practice and improve their English language skills.