Hi, originally born in Belfast, I moved to Preston aged 6 and have lived there ever since. My first real job was at Lancashire County Planning Department as a temporary admin clerk in the late 80’s whilst waiting for my A level results which I took to pay for a holiday for me and my then boyfriend who little did I know would become my husband 5 years later and as they say the rest is history. I have spent a total of 30 years working in Local Government in roles predominately around Economic Development/ Business Support and Funding moving from Lancashire County to Blackburn with Darwen to Salford City Council and then to Lancashire Fire Service until I found myself back at Lancashire County Council in the European Policy Team in 2013. Within this role I was part of the Officers Group which wrote the European Structural Investment Strategy successfully securing £239m of European Funding for Lancashire to support economic growth of the County. Ready for a new challenge and wanting to be back closer to the delivery side of things, I applied and was successfully appointed in June to the role of Grant and Compliance Manager on the European Funded Project More Positive Together being led by Active Lancashire.
In my spare time I hold a number of voluntary roles. I am Secretary for a local scout group and for the North West Branch of the Institute of Fundraisers. I also provide support to Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service as a Critical Incident Debriefer, supporting fire service personnel when they have witness traumatic incidents. In terms of hobbies I love walking my King Charles Cavalier Coco and enjoy swimming. However, given my new employer I feel that I need to up my game in the exercise/sport to keep up with the rest of the team! Suggestions please but bear in mind I have doggy Knees.
