Work

• I run a PR and marketing business called Right Angles. Based in Charlotte Street, London, we work for a variety of clients, from small businesses, through campaigning organisations right up to multinational companies.
• We also have a media training division, called In the Hotseat. We work with experienced journalists and news anchors to ensure you deliver a polished performance on-air which gets your message across. And to deal with nerves, we have a RADA consultant who teaches proven techniques to deal with ‘stage fright.’
• I’m a member of Chartered Institute of PR Government Affairs Group and London Chamber of Commerce
• I joined the Institute of Directors in December 2000 and remain an active member

Supporter of

• A lacto-ovo vegetarian since 2000, and vegan since early 2007, I am a member of The Vegan Society, Captive Animals Protection Society, and Labour Animal Welfare Society
• I am a particularly active member and supporter of Compassion in World Farming and Animal Aid
• I am a committed republican and am an active member of Republic.

• Between 2002 and 2008 I was Chairman, York Board, of the national business education charity "Young Enterprise", working with many schools in the area to encourage young people to learn and succeed through enterprise. I am also a Volunteer Business Advisor and fundraiser.

Politics

• I am Chair of Labour Humanists. I am an active atheist & humanist, and a member of the British Humanist Association, National Secular Society, and Dignity in Dying. I am also a member of Hampstead Humanist Society
• I stood as a Labour Party candidate in the local elections on 6 May 2010, in Frognal & Fitzjohns Ward
• I’m a Fellow of the RSA
• Parliamentary advisor for Lord (George) Foulkes, Baron Foulkes of Cumnock from 2006 to 2008. I also created and managed his web site
• From May 2003 until July 2009, I was a Labour Party councillor at the City of York Council, representing Heworth Ward. After my first four-year term I was re-elected in May 2007 with a greatly increased vote. I chaired the Inclusivity Scrutiny Committee, working at ways of opening-up the council to those who don’t usually get involved in politics, also chairing the Children and Young People Working Group; and was Vice-Chair of the Scrutiny Management Committee
• I am on the Labour party’s “National Parliamentary Panel” – a list of NEC-approved party members who can seek a Parliamentary seat
• At the 2005 general election I fought the strong Conservative seat of Ryedale, growing Labour’s vote by 41%, which was the most successful campaign in the whole country in terms of swing
• I was active within the Local Government Association for a number of years, latterly serving on the Children & Young People Board until I stood down from the Council
• I graduated in 2007 from the “Next Generation” programme from Leadership Centre for Local Government: “an 18-month programme designed to develop and support high-flying councillors who have the potential for being leaders of the future”
• A clip of me on Richard & Judy defending ‘daft’ council decisions

• I am a member of Labour Animal Welfare Society, Labour Finance and Industry Group, Labour Movement for Europe, the Fabian Society and Progress