When people ask how someone from Liverpool ended up leading Dorset Council, the answer begins with a family decision made more than twenty years ago.
My wife Liz and I wanted to raise our three children somewhere with a great quality of life, strong communities and plenty of access to the outdoors. Dorset ticked every box. More than two decades later, we have never regretted making it our home.
I grew up in Liverpool. My father was a police officer, my mother a secretary, and I attended a local comprehensive school. Looking back, I think both instilled in me a belief that we should contribute to our communities and try to leave things a little better than we found them.
My interest in politics began in the early 1980s when the “Gang of Four” broke away to form the Social Democratic Party. I was fascinated by the idea that people could challenge the status quo and build something different. At the time I had no ambition to become a politician, but the interest in public service stayed with me.
After studying Software Engineering at Imperial College, I built a career in the technology sector and spent many years living and working in London. But by 2001, Liz and I were ready for a different life.
One of the things we immediately fell in love with about Dorset was its natural environment. We were keen scuba divers and spent countless hours exploring the coast and countryside. Those experiences gave me a deep appreciation of the landscapes, wildlife and communities that make this county so special.
For most of my life politics remained an interest rather than a career path. Ironically, it was one of my daughters who eventually persuaded me to get involved.
She worked for the Liberal Democrats in Parliament and, through her role, I had the privilege of meeting Baroness Shirley Williams on several occasions. My daughter eventually challenged me: if I cared so much about politics and local issues, why not do something about them?
She had a point.
In 2010 I joined Osmington Parish Council. It proved to be the perfect introduction to local government. Parish councils are where democracy is at its most immediate. Residents know where to find you and are never shy about sharing their views.
Those years taught me the importance of listening, working collaboratively and finding practical solutions. They also reinforced my belief that local communities often understand their own challenges and opportunities better than anyone else.
In 2017 I was elected to Dorset County Council, just as local government in Dorset was preparing for major change. When Dorset Council was created in 2019, I was elected to represent Crossways Ward and was honoured to be re-elected in 2024.
Representing Crossways remains one of the most rewarding parts of the role. It is a vibrant and caring community where people genuinely look out for one another. Working alongside residents, community groups and local organisations constantly reminds me of the strength that exists within our towns and villages.
I spent six years as Leader of the Opposition before becoming Leader of Dorset Council following the 2024 elections. It is a role I take very seriously.
Councils across the country face significant challenges, from rising demand for social care to ongoing financial pressures. Yet I remain optimistic about Dorset’s future.
We have so much going for us: strong communities, thriving businesses, stunning landscapes and a natural environment that enriches all our lives. My priority is to help ensure that future generations can enjoy the same Dorset that persuaded Liz and me to settle here all those years ago.
That means responding to the climate and nature emergency with determination and imagination. We are already seeing the effects of climate change through increased flooding, coastal erosion and pressures on wildlife and habitats. Dorset must adapt, become more resilient and play its part in reducing emissions while restoring nature.
For me, this is not simply a policy challenge. It is personal. The coastline, countryside and communities that drew my family here are worth protecting.
Looking back, the path from a comprehensive school in Liverpool to leading Dorset Council was not one I could ever have predicted. But one belief has remained constant: positive change happens when people step forward, work together and take responsibility for the places they care about.
Dorset has given my family and me so much. If, through public service, I can help ensure that it remains the place we all love for generations to come, I will consider that a job well worth doing.
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