I first visited Malvern over 40 years ago, climbing the Worcester Beacon on a bright summer’s day to see the wonderful panorama at its best. I subsequently moved to Malvern with my family 27 years ago and we have enjoyed walking the Hills and Commons ever since. My main career has been in financial services, recently working with the organisation that runs the UK payments services. As a not for profit business with many stakeholders it has similar challenges to that faced by the Malvern Hills Trust, balancing the sometimes conflicting interests of many different stakeholders. My recent work has included updating the governance and consultation arrangements in the industry, focusing on finding ways to ensure open and transparent decision making informed by appropriate expertise amongst the governing body.

I also recently helped establish a community interest company to help address the issue of financial inclusion. We have a smallholding with a herd of Dexter cattle on the edge of the common land so have an active interest in land management and development. I am particularly interested in conservation grazing and how it can be used both on the Hills and surrounding areas to support biodiversity.