Why choose me?
In all my time as a London councillor, I have never been asked by my representative on the CCA Board what I think about the work of the CCA. That has to change!
I want to represent London Borough Councillors to the CCA Board and Party, not the other way round.
I have four key pledges:
- Listen – I will share board agendas in advance for comment
- Communicate – I will share a summary of board decisions after each meeting
- Challenge – With the Chair of the CCA Board having a seat on the main board of the Conservative Party, it is important that they take councillors’ views to the board
- Support – I want the CCA reserves to be used to support by-election candidates where an association can’t fund a snap election campaign
A bit about me
It isn’t easy being a Conservative in London. But I refuse to believe we are in terminal decline. London is dynamic, entrepreneurial and innovative. If we show people that the Conservatives are too, we can grow again in our capital.
I have been a London activist and member for more than 25 years. I was a parliamentary candidate in Hackney in 2005, a GLA candidate in 2012 and was elected as a Waltham Forest Councillor in July that year. I have held that seat in four subsequent elections.
I have been an Area Chairman and Deputy Chairman, and an Association Chairman and Deputy Chairman. I was DCP and then Chairman for Sir Iain Duncan Smith from 2013 to 2020, getting him re elected three times. I became Chairman again in 2024, in time to help him win again.
As a campaign consultant, I work now with clients to help them get elected. I have no desire to be an MP myself, I just want to help more Conservative councillors get elected.
My career outside politics
I grew up in Yorkshire, moving to London in the 1980s when I went to Kingston Polytechnic (yes, I am that old). After college I lived in Islington, then moved to Walthamstow and then to Chingford.
My early career was in property, qualifying as a Chartered Surveyor and working in Docklands through the early 90s. I was part of the team that brought Canary Wharf out of administration, and then went on to deliver the Excel Exhibition Centre project.
Joining colleagues in a start-up development business after Docklands, I worked with Councils to deliver regeneration projects. That got me involved with the policy review led by Lord Heseltine for David Cameron before the 2010 general election.
I then worked for an MP for a year, then ran my own consultancy helping clients as diverse as Hammersmith Council and the Church of England deliver regeneration projects.
I now work for College Green Group where I have started and run All-Party Parliamentary Groups and specialised in helping people through the approval and selection stages of becoming an MP. Four clients were elected in 2024 of over 40 who stood.
Lets all work together to return the Conservatives to government!
I don't do just politics!
I’m probably happiest high in the mountains looking down on fresh powder. But I can’t do that all the time!
Aside from helping people want to get elected, and being a Councillor, I chair the board of an Almshouse charity which houses alsmost 100 people in Walthamstow and Chingford.
I also enjoy my trips to the gym for gruelling spin classes. Even signing up for a 12-hour marathon for charity!
Ask me.
Use the form below to send me an email with any questions you have about why I want to be on the CCA Board.