I was born and raised in Birmingham, about 15 minutes walk from Birmingham Prison (known locally as Winson Green Prison). On completing my architectural studies in 1980, at Birmingham School of Architecture, I moved from Birmingham to Croydon to take up my first Civil Service post as an Architectural Officer with the Department for the Environment (DFE).

After four years in the DFE, I moved to Construction Unit in the Prison Service Directorate of Security as an Architectural Officer.

In May 1999 together with 23 other members of staff I formed the Prison Service RESPOND Staff Advisory Group, the original founding member of RESPECT.

The 23 became 9 within 6 months and over the next 18 months we concentrated our efforts on preparing the groundwork for RESPECT – The Prison Service Minority Ethnic Staff Support Network. Soon after the forming of the Group I was elected Chair and remained so until being elected the first Chair of RESPECT in August 2001.

Between August 2001 and April 2002 I split my time between my role as an Architectural Officer and the Chair of RESPECT. In March 2002 the Prison Service Management Board agreed to my request to fully fund the post of Chair of RESPECT.

On the 1st of April 2002 I stepped down from my role as an Architectural Officer in Construction Unit and became the full time Chair of RESPECT. My term in Office ends in October 2003 when I can either stand for re-election or return to Construction Unit as a Manager F Architectural Officer.

Contact details:
RESPECT Central Office
Abell House, Room 206/207
John Islip Street
London SW1P 4LH

Tel: 020 7217 5379
Fax: 020 7217 2186