I was elected County Councillor for the Gobion Fawr Ward in 2022, having settled with his family in Monmouthshire 32 years ago.
I have worked for four decades across business and public sectors.
In business, I have worked for Unilever and BP in Britain, Africa, Asia and Europe. I was Marketing Director in BP’s UK division, then CEO in the Pacific Rim before leading Masco Corp for 7 years as President of International Operations. I was the first business CEO to become a CEO in local government which had fascinated myself for years – “why could it not work better for its customers?”
Appointed CEO of Merthyr Tydfil CBC, the council delivered major projects: Cyfarthfa Retail Park, the Leisure and Sports Park, new Welsh Government Offices, new College, new Business Centre, a new Housing Association and renewal of Merthyr Town Centre. As I said, “I couldn’t see the point of a council if it didn’t deliver good services and major projects that improved local life”.
I was recruited by the Prime Minister’s office to work in 10 Downing Street, leading 2 capability reviews of major government departments. “Such an eye-opener and such centralized decisions – we recommended big changes and were surprised – the government actually made them!”
As CEO of Herefordshire County Council for 8 years, major projects followed: partners in the new engineering college NMiTE, new retail and leisure centre, new archives centre, new high school, student apartments, campus for the College of Arts and the RSCB, Shellstore learning centre, partner in the regional Cyber Centre, development of Skylon Business Park, active travel river crossing. I was regional lead for children’s social care, NHS joint working, and led the county response to Covid.
As County Councillor, I have worked as chair of MCC’s Performance and Overview Scrutiny Committee, on the Licensing Committee, the Schools’ Budget Forum, and chaired the regional Education Achievement Service Audit and Governance Committee. I am also currently the deputy leader of the Conservative Group and also works as a non-executive director in NHS Wales.
I have received two annual Leading Wales Awards, the Pride of Britain Award, the National Police Bravery Award and was awarded the George Medal by the Queen.
