I was born in Leigh-on-Sea, four generations of my family have lived in Southend, and I am delighted to be back living in West Leigh where my mother lived until recently.

Full statement

The daughter of a teacher and an engineer, I am a proud Essex girl who believes in working hard, aiming high and giving back.

I am very proud to serve and give back to my local community but I am not a career politician. After obtaining a Law degree from Durham University, I had a short career in financial services, before retraining to become a London Barrister. After 12 years prosecuting criminals and dealing with major medical accidents, I took a career break to bring up my family, and was elected to my local council.

Currently I am the Chief-Executive of the Invicta National Academy, a not-for-profit community interest company, helping children of the UK catch up on missed learning caused by covid-19.

I have a track record of working tirelessly on issues that matter to local people including opposing overdevelopment in the Greenbelt, campaigning for more grammar school places, better public transport, better health and mental health services, more police and supporting community volunteering.

Outside of the office and politics, I enjoy theatre, music, cycling, sea-swimming and scuba-diving. I also enjoy walking around our local green spaces with my husband, children and two dogs: Poppy and Lottie.

I volunteer in the community most weeks and have previously served as a grammar school governor, a charity trustee for MIND.