Political CV
Labour Party experience - top -
I joined the Labour Party in Stockton North approximately 20 years ago and have held a series of different posts at branch and constituency level including Constituency Chair/Vice Chair, Secretary, Youth Officer, Campaign Coordinator, Press Officer and Executive Member. I've organised and led campaigns for County and Unitary Council elections. I have served as a Labour County Councillor for seven years and eight years as a Borough Councillor holding Chair or Cabinet posts during both periods. I was re-elected May 2007 and currently lead the Children and Young People agenda for Stockton Borough Council. I represent the Association of North East Councils on Arts Council England NE and am appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to the Museums Libraries and Archives (MLA) national council and the Chair of MLA NE.
Other life experience - top -
My career path has covered newspaper and broadcasting journalism followed by public relations and communications roles, the last as Head of Communications for Transco, covering everything from crisis and media relations to public affairs including parliamentary and new media for the gas industry. That gave way to me developing my communications and web design business five years ago. Clients have included national utilities to small local businesses with some specialist work in developing and running fuel poverty/ energy efficiency programmes. I have been a trades unionist since the day I joined work - first in the National Union of Journalists where I held office and was a delegate to the Stockton Trades Council and then a member of NUPE and latterly Unison.
I have lived in the Stockton North constituency for nearly 30 years and brought my family up in the area so know, understand and share local issues with my community. More than 15 years in public life and Labour Party life, the earlier career in journalism work within a national company and as a business owner, has broadened my knowledge and understanding in everything from the needs of people to the issues facing business. Close work with MPs and Ministers in my work and Council roles has equipped me well with knowledge of the working of Government. National and regional roles covering business, my Council role, the arts and culture has also helped broaden my knowledge and experience of public life, business and government affairs and policies.
Communication skills - top -
My political and professional life as journalist, communications manager and businessman has resulted in excellent communication and influencing skills. I've managed internal, media and stakeholder strategy across a series of platforms from being Head of Communications for Transco to being a member of the national MLA Council and Partnership and Chair of Stockton Children's Trust. I am trained in television, radio and related media skills and have done many interviews, some in crisis circumstances.
Campaigning & party development skills - top -
I have extensive campaign experience in year round campaigning including regular newsletters and street surgeries - something I believe needs to happen at parliamentary level - as well as specific election campaigns at both parliamentary and local authority level. I have led successful by-election campaigns and all out council election campaigns using all tools from telephone and door to door canvassing to managing election materials and managing the media. I was recently re-appointed coordinator for Borough Council campaign to lead a four year action plan until 2011. As a person who has held most Labour Party officer posts I'm well equipped to encourage both Party and member development and I do so.
Representational & problem solving skills - top -
I have many years experience in public roles serving at local, regional and national level, problem solving at all levels including individuals residents' problems, at council level dealing with issues ranging from education provision to child abuse, at Regional level chairing the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, and at National level battling for the best future for that Council. Add to that crisis, business and leadership problem solving and my experience is extensive.
Interpersonal, teamwork & liaison skills - top -
Everything I do is based on team working - from reporting major stories as a journalist to leading the work of the Children's Trust. As Chair I ensure effective execution of business and decision making and as a colleague within the Trust management team, am responsible for driving decisions into actions. Work within Stockton Cabinet requires strong team work as does my work specifically with young people across a diverse community and in the local strategic partnership with people from many backgrounds. That has further grown my experience and understanding. I also have strong links with people within the ethnic minority community.
I have strong leadership and motivational skills. I pride myself in leading teams effectively in work, in politics and in the community. Leadership roles have ranged from managing major crisis at Transco and being the founding Chair of the Children's Trust to encouraging communities to empower themselves through residents' groups and chairing difficult public meetings. Motivating people from senior managers in my team to anyone in the community wanting to make something of their lives derives immense satisfaction. My writing skills, developed as a journalist, provides expertise in developing materials, reporting to the constituency and ensuring that issues or problems raised by Party members or constituents can be explained clearly thus enabling early solution.
