1997 – 2004 Soldier: In 1998 Jack commissioned from Sandhurst as a 20 year old Infantry Officer. He went on to serve for 6 years with The King’s Own Royal Border Regiment (now The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment). He served in Canada, Bosnia and Cyprus. Working as a platoon commander, recruit instructor and a battalion training officer. He left in 2004 as a Captain.
2004 – 2006 Aid Worker: On leaving the Army, Jack went on to work for British charity The HALO Trust. With HALO, he helped run humanitarian mine clearance and bomb disposal operations in Afghanistan and Somalia. He was subsequently recruited by The United Nations to provide risk management support to their refugee operations in Sudan and The Democratic Republic of Congo.
2008 – Date Business Advisor: After completing his masters degree on 2006/7, Jack now works for professional services giant, Ernst & Young, as an advisor to businesses and government departments. He specialises in implementing complex and high value change programmes.
Ongoing – Education: Jack was originally educated at his local comprehensive school, Chichester High School for Boys, before taking a year out aged 16 to work as a gamekeeper. Afterwards, he went on to complete some rather undistinguished A-Levels before joining the Army. More recently, he returned to education and passed (with Merit) MSc Sustainability and Management at The University of London.
Your feedback comments make numerous references to checking with the Conservative group on the City Council but there are no explicit comments regarding the way in which you are engaged with Derby. Educated in Chichester, mature student in London and a professional career in the Army – nothing suggests any connection or engagement with Derby. A more likely explanation is the pportunistic view that there is a potential seat less likely to follow the traditional Labour path which will be attractive to the increasing professional political class that is startingto dominate the main parties. I’d be delighted to hear about your actual engagment with the city beyond the virtual world of blog.
Hi David,
You’re right to say that I’ve had a huge range of experiences around the World and across the UK. I make no apologies for that.
However, it would be incorrect in the extreme to suggest that I have no connection or engagement with Derby. I was selected by the Derby Conservative Association nearly 18 months ago on the basis that they wanted someone to stir things up a bit and make a difference. I have done that. It is true that I have had to earn a living while doing so and my firm is a major one based in London (but again I make no apologies for not being reliant on politics for my money or for working for a major business that gives me extraordinary experience).
In my time as a candidate I have engaged with and supported 100s of my constituents. This website is just one tool that I’ve used. I’ve been canvassing, leafletting, held street stalls, spoken at places of worship, arranged hustings, written to the local paper, visited homeless centres, been on local radio, met people in their homes and attended countless fairs and charity events to name but a few of my activities over the last year and a half.
I have never claimed to be Derby born and bred but I am utterly committed to this constituency. If elected, I can assure you that I’ll use every fibre of my being and every bit of my experience for the best interests of the city and my constituents.
I’d never heard of you until recently and I doubt many have. You may be aware of certain local issues, but you don’t know the people of Derby and most won’t know you. This type of politics is wrong. Local politicians should be local people.
As I had not previously come across your candidature over the past 18 months (sorry) but having read the background information I wondered if you were selected from a number of applicants or that awful word used of late – being “parachuted” into the constituency.
I have been a Conservative voter for over 40 years slighty interspaced with LibDem at local elections
Jack is the real deal.
Albeit Jack is not a local lad, assuredly, he is what our constituency desperately needs.
For example, the way Mrs Beckett has conducted her Election Campaign speaks for itself. How many times have the public seen her walking the streets? She is aloof and complacent and has a disdain for the public. Mrs Beckett’s priority is as a Labour apparatchik, and not our constituency MP.
Jack is a breath of fresh air – he is the antithesis and antidote to Mrs Beckett.
Hi Harry,
As I understand it there were about 30 applicants for the seat and I was lucky enough to be the one selected by local association members.
I hope that helps.
Jack
Jack
Cannot see reference to Gay issues on your site but I’ve been told you are courting the ‘pink’ vote.
Does this mean you are promoting homosexuality ?
Mark
Hi Mark,
I have no interest in promoting or decrying one sexual orintation over another. What consenting adults do in private is their concern and no one else’s.
On “courting the ‘pink’ vote”, I’d like to be the kind of politician that has as broad a support base as possible. Gay, straight, rich, poor, white or black I’d like to represent you in the best way possible.