Unusually broad commercial knowledge and experience which encompasses Accountancy and Finance, Marketing and Market Research, Merchandise Management, General Management, Communications and Information Technology.

Strong qualities of leadership and motivation. Excellent record of achievement, particularly in the establishment and support of successful new business ventures.

Enjoys pressure and working towards measurable goals; has a great deal of determination and stamina. Interests include swimming, cycling, photography, theatre, cinema, and conversation. Keen interest in current affairs.

Leader of Somerset County Council; former member and previously Leader of Mendip District Council.

This follows a period working for the same organisation advising and training people wishing to start a new business.

Responsible for Business Counselling, Consultancy, advice and training to a wide range of business clients, including undertaking of prospecting visits and the production of Business Development Reports, the preparation of Business Reviews, conduct of computer diagnostic studies, presentation at Business Skills Seminars and start up courses and direct project and consultancy work with clients.

Director, Taunton District Enterprise Centre. Responsible for ensuring the effective provision of Business Counselling, Career and Redundancy Counselling, Training, Consultancy and the operation of Executive Job Clubs and Executive Help.

Achievements in this position include:

Devised a standard approach to Business Diagnostics (Business Reviews) which was adopted by the Somerset Training and Enterprise Council (TEC) for use by all District Enterprise Centres in the County. Contract secured from Somerset TEC for training all District Enterprise Centres in its use.

Achievement of the largest TEC contract for delivery of Business Reviews within Somerset

Acceptance by Somerset TEC of a proposal for a "self-financing" Executive Help Programme which has been adopted and became a major feature of the contract for services for all District Enterprise Centres

Achievement of a substantially increased contract for the delivery of Business Skills Seminars and successful implementation of it.

Acceptance by Somerset TEC of proposals for more intensive monitoring of client business performance and funding for development of the use of notebook computers for this purpose.

The development of a previously marginal Enterprise Centre into a successful, secure and profitable one, with the best staff performance in the Group.

The achievement of harmonious dialogue and communications with Somerset TEC, Somerset County Council, the Taunton business community and all other agencies with whom good relations are vital for the Enterprise Centre to be effective.

Director, Local Government Research Company

Chairman, Local Government Association National Executive on Social Inclusion

Deputy Leader, Local Government Association

Member national New Deal Task Force

Freelance Business Journalist; Consultant in Business, Finance,

Training and Career Counselling.

Assistant to Administration Director, then Marketing Manager, then Marketing and Merchandising Manager.

Three years as Commercial Apprentice, followed by three years as Market Research Executive and fieldwork manager

'A' levels: Economics; German

Member, Institute of Business Counsellors

Business Counsellor Accreditation, South West Enterprise Consortium