For the past 24 years I have worked in education most recently developing, managing and delivering community based training programmes. I am proud to have held the positions of teacher, manager, head of department, director, consultant and national lead. These have been undertaken in the college, work based learning, voluntary and community, prison and sixth form sectors.

As co-founder of two national award winning training organisations I have helped address the needs of local people by providing quality and accessible provision to the heart of sometimes vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.

I am a committed County and Borough Councillor who is currently Labour Lead for Children and Young People – I have also stood as Labour PPC for Great Yarmouth in the 2017 General Election.

I’m a keen gardener and local historian and am a member of the Queens Award for Voluntary Service national selection committee. Away from work I hold the post of Community Development Manager for Great Yarmouth Town FC and am an experienced school governor.

In 2017 I received an MBE for my work within education and last year received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of West London.

Mike Smith- Clare