I lived on Hylton Lane Estate as a child and was educated at St Anne's and St Aidan's. I left school at 16 and worked for various private companies (including Plessey).
I am a European and Chartered Engineer with membership of the British Computer Society. I completed 3 degrees and a post graduate Diploma with the Open University over a period of 15 years.
I was chair of Governors for 2 schools in Blyth Valley and a Foundation Governor at a High School in Bedlington and have a particular interest in education.
My own education includes ICT, Engineering, Project Management, Social Science and Politics.
I am currently employed for a telephony company as a Senior Designer / Software Engineer.
I am married with 4 children and 7 grandchildren. I live in Castletown and have done for many years.
I and my ward colleagues hold Ward Surgeries every first Wednesday of the month (excluding school holidays) between 6.00 pm and 7.00 pm at Willow Wood Community Primary School, every second Monday of the month (excluding school holidays) between 3.00 pm and 4.00 pm at the Bunny Hill Centre and every last Wednesday of the month (excluding school holidays) between 10.30 am and 11.30 am at Redhouse Community Association. (please note these are currently suspended due to Covid-19)
As your City Councillor, the council’s data protection policy applies when I am carrying out council business. This explains your data protection rights and who to contact if you have a query about use of your data; https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/data-protection.
When working for you as your Ward Councillor, I respect your data protection rights and only use the personal data you provide as needed to respond to your enquiries. This can include sharing the information you provide with council officers and other services and organisations so I can get information to reply to you, which might include information about you and your circumstances. I also share information with other Councillors who may be able to help. If you would prefer me not to share your information with a particular person, or organisation please let me know when you contact me.