A London-wide member of the London Assembly

I have lived in South-West London for 33 years, first in Hanworth for 12 years and for the last 21 years in our present home in Hampton.

My key interests are:

• the regeneration of communities

• more visible policing

• the expansion of affordable housing for key workers

• a safe, affordable and reliable transport system

Community experience

I represented Hampton on Richmond Council from 1986 until 1994 when I stood down to pursue a business career abroad. During my time as a councillor, I served as Chair of Housing for three years, during which time we successfully:

• introduced new systems, which halved the number of people, accepted as homeless; which greatly reduced the financial burden on the Council;

• changed priorities to emphasis, customer care, tenant participation, and prompt and efficient service delivery;

• converted properties into self-contained units with improved facilities for older people. This released under used properties for families and led the elimination of the use of costly bed and breakfast accommodation for homeless households.

The funds released by my Housing Committee made a real impact on peoples lives and that's what I intend to do for the people of London.

I have also served as Chair of School Governors and have seen at first hand the problems, which result form schools not having control over their own capital budgets. The capital funding mechanism needs to be completely overhauled to give decision-making power to school governing bodies.

Business experience

I have considerable experience of business gained over 30 years in business both in the UK and abroad. I was Finance Director of the Liberal Democrats for ten years during which time I played a pivotal role in restoring financial stability to the party. I was also Financial Adviser to the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party for eight years.

I have also been Group Managing Director of an international fashion company with operations in London, Hong Kong and China and for the last 12 years, I have run my own management consultancy specialising in advising blue chip companies on how to drive efficiencies within business to improve cost effectiveness.

How I spend my spare time

Both my parents were in the theatre - my mother was an actress and singer and my father played the saxophone and clarinet. I have inherited their love of the theatre - if not their musical talent! I also greatly enjoy listening to music when relaxing. My husband Jim is a country and western junkie, but I prefer easy listening.

I have been married to Jim for 34 years and we have one son Mark who is currently working in New York. We also have a wonderful golden labrador Obi.