Employment History:
Before entering Parliament, managed a publishing
company, based in the West Country, for
10 years. Prior to that, managed arts venues,
worked for a small scale travelling theatre
company. Currently Director of Fire Protection
Association Ltd. and Chair of the Fire Protection
Council.
History in Politcs:
MP for Dorset South since June 2001.
Parliamentary Private Secretary to Ministerial
Team, Dept of Health, 2004-.
PPS to Rosie Winterton, Dept of Health 2003-2004.
Member of Defence Select Committee (2001
- 2003).
Mendip District Councillor (1997-2001),
Leader of the Labour Group (1999-2000).
Frome Town Councillor (1995-2001).
Mayor of Frome (1999).
European Parliamentary Candidate, South
West (1999).
Parliamentary Candidate, Dorset South (1997).
Groups:
Member of AMICUS and GMB.
Chair of All Party Parliamentary Leisure
Group;
Co-Chair of All Party Parliamentary Minerals
Group;
Treasurer of All Party Parliamentary Fire
Safety Group;
Secretary of All Party Parliamentary Iraq
Group;
Secretary of All Party Parliamentary World
Heritage Group;
Patron of National Fire Sprinkler Network;
Patron of Bruised Reed Trust;
Trustee of Tank Museum;
Trustee of World Heritage Coast Trust.
Special Interests:
Foreign Policy, Defence, International Development,
Family Policy, Arts and Sport.
Countries of Special Interest:
Iran, Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Turkey.
