I grew up in Hatfield then got a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Birmingham before going on to do five years postgraduate research in Physics in the USA.

Full statement

I returned to Hatfield in 1990 and lived with my parents until 1994 when I bought a house in Oxlease which I have lived in to this day. I have worked in Engineering and IT but am now a self-employed gardener.

I spend a lot of time as an unpaid advocate for sustainable transport and active travel. I am a member of WelHatCycling, Secretary of CycleHerts (a Hertfordshire Cycling Campaign I helped set up in 2011), Deputy Chair and cycling representative on the Hertfordshire Local Access Forum and an East Herts route maintenance volunteer with Sustrans.

The thing that annoys me most about Hatfield is the amount of litter and fly-tipping. I try to keep my area tidy and take part in organised litter picking events but it can seem like a losing battle. I am hoping that ongoing development results in a more vibrant Town Centre and at some point I would like to see a big push to revitalise the once bustling Farmers Market. As a fit cyclist I don't use local busses but strongly support improved services in order to reduce car dependence, pollution and congestion.

I have been campaigning for action to tackle climate change since the mid 90's and am pleased to see a new generation taking action on what is surely the greatest global threat we face.