My first career was in education, and I was a Deputy Head of a Comprehensive school for 17 years. I specialised in business planning, performance management (including setting up the appraisal system), staff professional development and its impact on the business plan, and developing links with business and industry. I am also a Borough Councillor for a Unitary Authority, and, among many other positions, have been Borough Mayor, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Chairman of the Children's Services scrutiny committee, and Chairman of Personnel Committee. I work for the Local Government Association Improvement Agency, training and mentoring councillors (including new Executive Members and Leaders) from numerous other Local Authorities, and conducting team-based peer reviews on a range of Council services and themes, such as Equalities and Diversity; I have also done formal Audit Commission Local Authority Inspections while these were still current, across a range of Unitary, County and London Borough Councils. I am a member of the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service Management Committee, and my LGA peer reviews have included several other Fire Authorities. I also do assessments for the Member Development Charter, which is similar to Investors in People. I have worked for Investors in People for seven years, with Assessment, and business development planning, leadership and appraisal as specialist areas. I have two degrees ( a B.A. Hons, and an M.A. in History), a PGCE, and am an A1 NVQ Assessor.