John has served as a Malvern Hills Trustee since 2011 (having previously been nominated to this role by Malvern Hills District Council, then by Worcestershire County Council, and now as the elected trustee for Dyson Perrins ward).  He and his wife, Susan, have lived in West Malvern (fringed by Malvern hills Trust land) for some forty-four years, and he has served (and continues to serve) as the District Councillor for West Ward of the District Council for twenty-three of those years.  He also served as County Councillor for his local area (Trinity Division) from 2013 to 2021.

Career-wise, following a three-year spell as a social science researcher at the Building Research Establishment, john joined the University of Birmingham's Institute of Local Government Studies where he then spent the next thirty-nine years specialising in judicial administration and public governance/management.  Although now formally retired, as Emeritus Professor, he remains academically active as a part-time consultant, tutor and supervisor for his Department.

As a local Green councillor, John has long been committed to developing a stronger environmental policy agenda for local government.  He currently holds the Environment Portfolio for Malvern Hills District Council and in this role is heading the development and roll-out of the Council's Zero-Carbon policy initiative.  He also acts as the Council's 'Heritage Champion' and is Chair of the Joint Advisory Committee of the Malvern Hills National Landscape (previously known as the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty). Besides his Council work, John is also a founder trustee of 'Malvern Welcomes' - the charity which resettles and supports families from war-torn countries within our local area; and is organist at St James' Church, West Malvern.