1st May 2002 – Elected as Liberal Democrat County Councillor for Ilchester Ward of Somerset County Council |
First elected on 1st May 1997 as County Councillor for the Houndstone Ward of Yeovil. (boundary change in 2002)
Has served on the following Somerset County Council Committees: -
Currently a Finance Panel member. Formerly a Lib Dem Spokesperson on Scrutiny Committee up to May 2003, Deputy Chair Scrutiny Committee up to May 2002, member of Finance Sub-Committee of Policy & resources (also vice chair), Property & Land Sub-Committee of Policy Resources, Member Asset Review Panel, Public Protection Committee
Also currently: -
Member of Avon & Somerset Police Authority and Chair of Property and Health & Safety Committee
Formerly a member of Audit Panel - Avon & Somerset Police Authority and Member of IT Panel - Avon & Somerset Police Authority |
1993 to 1996 - Advisor with South Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau. |
| Specialising in debt counselling and industrial tribunal work. |
1993 to date - Consultant with Crabb Consultants Ltd |
French Property Consultants and UK Banking Expert.
Providing full range of French property Consultancy services, for clients buying, moving to, investing in France. Business called "Consultancy in France". Range of advice sheets produced and willing to act as negotiator on purchases etc, and on the spot in France as and when necessary. Expert on French Banking system, wide knowledge on French law and accountancy practices. Assist with the setting up French company structures etc. Resolution of disputes.
Providing expert bank witness reports for cases involving disputes between banks and clients, including expert advice on the conduct of bank accounts, borrowing and taking of security, and expert advice on discovery of documents with a view to taking out applications for specific discovery. Acted for Spindler & Verity in landmark case against Lloyds Bank in 1996. Negotiation resolutions to complex disputes involving calculation of bank interest and bank charges for clients, and negotiating lump sum settlements to finalise an end to a banking relationship. |
1990 to 1993 - Specialist mortgage broker dealing with the French Property Market. |
Crabb & Templeton Associates Ltd, Corsham, Wiltshire.
Arranging loans in French Francs for property purchases in France, becoming well known market leaders in the UK. Resolved legal and technical problems for clients moving to France. Provided an advisory service for clients wishing to purchase property in France. Left in '93 when business split into two, between mortgage work and advice work. |
1988 to 1990 - Self-employed Insurance Consultant. |
Pegasus Insurance Limited - Bristol.
Selling life insurance, investments and arranging loans for house purchases in the UK. Also involved with selling French property and financing the purchases for clients. |
1986 to 1988 - Lloyds Bank PLC, 71 Lombard St, London, EC1. |
| Joined bank after A levels and rose quite rapidly through the various grades, achieving Managerial grade 1A at age 33 years, having a very wide range of banking experience on the way. Also selected to carry out a number of high specialist jobs, including instructing banking and banking law to junior grades at the bank's residential Training Centre. |
1981 to 1986 - Manager - Berkeley Square Branch. |
| Responsible for personal client accounts, marketing and staffing. 35 staff, included instruction on new insurance regulations, consumer credit. Improved efficiencies and developed a cohesive team, helping rapidly increase profit levels and quality of service on a very busy West End Branch. Delegated for Senior Manager with control of large corporate accounts. MDP of £25,000 and £100,000 Home Loans. |
1979 to 1981 - Inspector's Assistant - Chief Inspectors Dept. |
| Involved in many Branch routine Audits, special investigations, writing of bank rules, including a secondment for 6 months investigating travel claims throughout the bank, represented Lloyds Bank at the trial in the old bailey, of Hatton Garden safe deposit gang. |
1971 to 1981 - Assistant Manager - Hamwell Branch, London. |
| Deputising for Manager, running admin. and staffing of a small suburban branch - 14 staff. Control of small lending. |
1975 to 1979 - Head of Securities - Ruislip and Greenford Branches.
1973 to 1975 - Instructor of Banking - Lloyds Bank Training Centre, Hindhead.
1971 to 1973 - Bank Clerk - Chard & Wincanton Branches, Somerset. |
Appointments: - |
Lecturer, Practice of Banking I&II - West London College of Higher Education (1979 - 1981)
Treasurer and Chairman - Harrow area BIFU (1975 - 1979) |
Qualifications: - |
| A.C.I.B., 2 "A" levels, 11 "O" levels. |
Interests and Hobbies: - |
| As well as working hard I like to play hard. My interests and hobbies include archaeology, military history, reading all types of novels and books. Keeping up to date with the news - worldwide, but especially in the UK and France. Wargaming is a passion, including researching campaigns and uniforms, painting miniature soldiers and re-fighting battles. Currently I am looking into the Monmouth Rebellion. I like visiting new places, meeting new people, sailing, shooting and farming. |
