Profile

A positive, analytical, and strategic thinker with 37 years’ experience of using lived expertise as a blind person to effect positive change with, and for, disabled people and other equalities groups.

A thought leader with extensive experience of governance, policy and strategy in the public and voluntary sectors. Proven success of working in partnership to put Disabled people at the heart of service planning and delivery, making ‘nothing about us without us’ a reality.

Achievements

• Has used his own lived experience of disability to champion and work for equality of opportunity and treatment for Disabled people and all people experiencing disadvantage.

• Awarded a M.B.E. in 2008 for work on Disabled people’s issues.

• Elected three times as a local government councillor.

• Appointed to the first Healthwatch England National Committee and as a non-executive of a Primary Care Trust.

• Chaired the Disability sub-committee of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.

• Chaired a Department of Works and Pensions Advisory Group with a senior civil servant.

• Author of weekly column in a regional newspaper on the life of a Disabled person in Bristol.

• Chair of the first Mayoral Disability Equality Commission for Bristol.

• Trustee for several charities and voluntary organisations for Disabled people, older people, children, and housing issues

Career History

November 2018 - : Thomas Pocklington Trust

Engagement Manager West – set up and support Sight Loss Councils - engagement and consultation groups of people with a visual impairment.

July 2003 - November 2018: North Somerset Council

Adult Care Planning and Policy Manager - strategy and policy development, service user engagement, partnership and joint planning, physical and sensory impairment lead.

January 1998 - June 2003: West of England Coalition of Disabled People
Manager - staff management and supervision, fundraising, policy-development, campaigning, media relations.

April 1994 - December 1997: West of England Centre for Integrated Living
Disabled Persons’ Housing Project Worker - strategic, campaigning and policy development work on housing issues and Disabled people.

January 1992 - March 1994: Avon Coalition of Disabled People
Centre for Integrated Living Project Worker - developing and implementing the project to set up the Centre.

June 1989 - December 1991: Warwickshire County Council
Social Worker 1986 Disabled Persons Act - undertaking assessments and transition-planning for Disabled children and young people.

June 1987 - December 1988: Birmingham Disability Rights Group
Disability Equality Trainer - developing and providing Disability Equality Training

Strengths

• Policy development

• Project planning and delivery

• Analytical

• Self-aware

• Self-motivated

• Sensitive

• Strategic thinking

• Team player

• Working in collaboration and partnership