Born South Shields, NE England, 17 Feb 1954

Education

South Shields Grammar School
University of Sheffield, B.Sc. (Hons) Physics, 1975

Career

Electronics industry including 25 years climbing the greasy-pole of corporate life at Hewlett Packard (Roscoe’s roundabout, Cheadle). Latterly Product Line Manager reporting to marketing department of USA factory.  Responsible for products (EMC test equipment) in the central time zones (Europe + Russia / Middle East / South Africa).  Massive amount of foreign travel, to HP California HQ, to at least one European country most weeks plus occasional visits to suppliers eg in Japan. 
Sadly ’98-02 HP was subject to a hostile takeover & break-up and the wonderful company Bill & Dave had built up was destroyed.  After the closure of the Cheadle office & a spell for a consultancy, I started my own business, using the marketing skills learned at HP.  Bramhall Photographic Ltd makes promotional (corporate) videos for small businesses.  It is very enjoyable, especially as I now have more modest monetary needs and have time available for other pursuits.

Home

Had been married 20+ yrs to a medic I met at university, but since 2002, divorced.  Have 2 sons, older works for law firm Manchester (and is actively involved with Cheadle Conservatives), younger son a medical student at Bristol University.  Moved to Bramhall from Yorkshire in 1988 and to current house Swann Lane, Cheadle Hulme 2005.

Politics

Have been actively interested in politics from university time onwards.  Have always voted conservative although I have deep respect for any political stance, so long as it is considered & rational.  Within Conservatism, my views are libertarian (i.e. very opposite of nanny-state socialism).  This fundamental approach apart, I feel my views are moderate. I believe that practically all the big moral issues are “shades of gray” and that anyone who thinks their one view is “right” and all others are “wrong” does not understand the question.  Indeed the answer to many political questions is regrettably often the “least-worst” one!