Gareth grew up in Brentwood, attending St Peter's South Weald and the Hedley Walter High School.

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He studied Economics at the University of Essex, followed by studying part-time for a Masters degree in public policy and a Doctorate in Government from Birkbeck, University of London.



Following university, he returned home and has never considered living anywhere else. Most days he commutes into London for work, where he is a communications director.



For the last decade, he has served as a local councillor, with the honour of being Mayor this past year. For Gareth, this is his home, community, and this is personal.



After over a decade of decline, Gareth believes a local voice is needed to take on the work needed to rebuild and enhance our community. Having grown up in Brentwood, he wants to make sure that the experiences that gave him such an opportunity in life are available to the next generation.



He wants to take back our streets with stronger policing and guaranteed patrols in town centres. He will support our local businesses by reforming business rates, getting the NHS back on its feet so Brentwood and Ongar families can get treatment faster, and proper funding and investment in our schools which have suffered so much.



He will underline this investment with the recognition we must manage the economy carefully - we cannot afford another crisis - and must invest wisely for the future of our community.