I was born locally in the District and come from a family with longstanding ties to the area dating back to the 1920s.
By the age of 36, I had established a successful career in the motor industry and gained recognition for my contributions to the sector. In 1990, I founded my own motor trade business in Herne Bay, operating throughout the UK and Europe.
In 2010, I made a conscious decision to give something back to Herne Bay by dedicating my energy, enthusiasm, and vision to the community, and I therefore stood for election to Canterbury City Council.
Following my election to the Council, I was invited to join the Executive, with one of my responsibilities being the Pier. At that time, following the demolition of the former Sports Pavilion, the Council tasked me with helping deliver a recreational pier for Herne Bay, with the long-term ambition of recreating a sustainable long pier should a viable opportunity arise in the future.
Working closely with council officers and others, I helped develop the design of the Pier we see today. Together, we secured the funding and created a sustainable facility whose annual income has exceeded the capital costs required to maintain the existing Pier in a safe and suitable condition for public use.
Having stepped away from my role as a Trustee for over six years, I now feel the time is right to rejoin the Board and help move the Pier forward once again. Although I stepped down as a Council Trustee in 2019 after reaching the limit of nine consecutive terms, I have continued to serve as an active volunteer ever since.
I am excited by the future possibilities and look forward to contributing further to the continued success and development of the Pier.
