"I know I have the political insight and campaigning skills to put over our positive, Conservative message on how the EU needs to change. Not just to Conservatives but to those voters whose support we also need to secure.

"As a senior manager for more than twenty years, I have a clear understanding of the way institutions work and will relish the opportunity of tacking issues such as the EU budget, two-centre working and inappropriate and unecessary legislation and regulation.

"My community based experience will make me an effective advocate for London and Londoners."

On the next three pages, I have set out details of my political and business experience and my family life and interests. However, in case you don't have time to visit them I have posted a "Quick resume" below which should give you the main points. 

Born: Liverpool in 1957

Lived in: The West Midlands, then Yorkshire and then (for twenty years) in and around Birmingham, before moving to London in 1995.

Married to: Barbara (since 1995), with two step-daughters (Lisa and Elaine) and one granddaughter (Alexandra).

Live in: East Ham in east-London.

Education: BA (Hons) degree in business - University of Central England (although it was just plain "Birmingham Poly" when I was there). Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute (ACII) and Chartered Insurance Broker.

Political background: Joined the Conservative Party in Yorkshire in 1973 and have been an active member and campaigner ever since, holding posts at ward, constituency, area, regional and national level, including two years as National Chairman of the Conservative Political Centre (CPC).

In addition to fighting (and running) many local elections, I was parliamentary candidate for Walsall South in 1987 and our by-election candidate in Dudley West in 1994. In 2002 I was our candidate for the post of directly elected mayor of Newham.

I am currently Deputy Regional Chairman (Finance) for London Region, Deputy Chairman (Finance) for London North Eastern Area and active in the West Ham constituency as Deputy Chairman (Political).

Business background: Following a stint as a graduate trainee with the Royal Insurance Group, I moved into insurance broking and, in 1981 set up the marketing department of Lloyd's insurance broker Holder's. As the result of a succession of mergers the part of Houlder's that I worked for then, is today part of the Heath Lambert Group, the UK's leading independent, insurance broker and employee benefits consultant.

Between 1997 and 2007 I was involved in setting up the Group's international broking network (HLA Global) which gave me a detailed insight into the issues and challenges associated with international trade and commerce - especially in Europe.

Current: Self-employed marketing and communications consultant

Interests: When I have time I like to read. My tastes encompass a wide range of fiction, but my special interests are biography and World War Two history. I also enjoy music from Jazz to the current day.

Presentation skills: I have a great deal of experience of public speaking and presentation and, from my professional and political involvement, public relations and the media - including television and radio work.