Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Cheriton
Cabinet Member for Community and Collaboration
I have lived in Folkestone since 2009, when my wife and I moved here with our young twins. It was a welcome return to this part of Kent as my first job was on the Dover Express, where I trained as a reporter and got my first experience of attending council meetings.
I moved away to pursue my career, first in journalism and then in public relations, including for the NHS, charities and campaigning organisations such as Young Women’s Trust, Amnesty International and the Royal College of Physicians.
Always interested in politics, I worked as Head of Communications for the Green Party of England & Wales for the 2017 General Election before returning to freelancing. Always interested in a new challenge, I also tried my hand at teaching public relations at Canterbury Christ Church University.
Since 2014, I have combined my work with writing, beginning with a biography of the first Nepalese woman mountaineer to climb Everest from its north face, and then with two novels.
As a councillor, I want to reinvigorate local democracy and restore people’s confidence in their district council. I am thrilled to be part of the Green team representing Cheriton and giving the community here a bigger voice.
I enjoy walking, swimming, cycling and yoga, as well as relaxing in front of a good film or TV series.
