Nick grew up in the Tyne Valley, and attended local schools including Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham.

Full statement

Nick has over 20 years of experience working in Higher Education as a History lecturer. He currently works with distance learners at the Open University and international students at St Andrews University. He teaches courses from Foundation to Postgraduate level.

Nick recently stood down after 24 years as a Newcastle City Councillor to fight the Hexham election. He brings with him a wealth of experience from his time in Council politics. Under Nick’s watch, as Cabinet member for Children’s Services, Newcastle achieved Beacon Status for Tackling and Preventing Child Poverty. He was more recently a Liberal Democrat Member of the Local Government Association's Children & Young People Board, Leader of the Opposition and chairperson of the Council's main scrutiny committee.

Nick is passionate about the area and would be honoured to be Hexham's first MP from the Liberal tradition since Victor Finney (who served as MP from 1923-4).