About Me
Personal background
Well over 21, I’m one of three councillors for Hall Green with Paula Smith and Jackie Hawthorn. Birmingham has 40 wards with 120 councillors (32 Lib-Dem). Married to Vivienne with three sons, I’ve lived in Hall Green all my married life. Viv’s family have been in this area for 300 years! She is very active in drama, community and Tolkien circles. I hail from the Black Country. Our sons work in environmental consulting, the water industry and archaeology.
Interests outside politics
History (family, local, English and European), the work of JRR Tolkien and his time in Hall Green and Birmingham, establishing a Tolkien Centre, economics and business, computing, general science, walking (even with leaflets!), cricket, motor racing and an occasional part with Shire Productions!
Employment past and present
Member, Birmingham City Council (Hall Green Ward); Emeritus Professor, University of Birmingham. Formerly Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Social Science 1991-1995.
Local Government and community service
Council member for Hall Green 1984 - 1992 and since 2000. I have led scrutiny reviews on the Highways PFI, the role of the Council, Telecommunications, the Library of Birmingham and Devolution. I chair the Ward Committee and Advisory Board. I’m a member of the Audit and Public Protection committees and chair the members’ forum on electoral matters. I serve on many local organisations, charities and groups and I chair the Birmingham Tolkien Group. I have been a governor at six local schools over the years.
Writing
Our Focus newsletters! Letters to The Birmingham Post and The Evening Mail on current issues. Books include: Mathematics for Business, Finance and Economics; and Management of Company Finance [co-author]. Articles and reports on investment decision making and manufacturing industry. Computer software package: the QMT programs.
Listings and memberships
People of Today; Dictionary of International Biography; Who’s Who in British Economics; International Directory of Business and Management. Memberships included the British Fulbright Scholars’ Association; British Academy of Management; Association of University Professors; International Advisory Board of the Czech Management Centre.
A personal wish list
A fair voting system and Lib-Dem majorities in Birmingham and Westminster! A grip on global warming and a greener and safer world. A better deal for Birmingham; Councils getting back powers and assets taken by Governments; scrapping Council Tax for a system based on ability to pay; fairness for pensioners and those needing personal care; Municipal Banks to get rid of flashy financial practices and offer fair interest rates to savers; the community being put ahead of profit; the regeneration of manufacturing; wider recognition that public ownership can deliver public services in the public interest; seeing the darker sides of globalisation and heedless economic growth.
Most of all
I want to see people being put first and I continue to work hard to make this true in Hall Green. I want to help create a fairer society where people’s views count and where community and environment come first and money second. If we work together with these shared goals, we can create a more honest, considerate and inspiring society for ourselves and our children.
