About Penny
Born in 1973, Penny's family have lived in Portsmouth since 1975. Her father, who was born in Hilsea barracks, was in the Paras before becoming a teacher at Oak Park school and later a youth worker for Hampshire Council. Her mother, who died of breast cancer in 1988, was a special needs teacher at several Purbrook schools, and her stepmother is also a local primary school teacher. Penny has two brothers, Edward and James, who is her twin. She was educated at Oaklands RC Comprehensive School and studied drama at the Victoryland children theatre.
She worked at the old Johnson and Johnson factory and as a magician's assistant for Paulsgrove resident and former President of the Magic Circle, Will Ayling. before becoming the first person in her family to go to University.
She gained an interest in politics having worked in the hospitals and orphanages of post revolutionary Romania, for the year prior and during her time at University.
She has a successful career in business and communications working in the private, public and charitable sectors. She supported British truckers during the French blockades whilst working for the Freight Transport Association. She is proud to have been a director of the best run local authority in the UK- Kensington and Chelsea Council- delivering excellent services for one of the lowest council taxes in the UK.
She went on the be a director of a national lottery distributor and created the Veterans reunited.programme, enabling service men and women to visit WW2 battlefields and be involved in commemorative events. In 2004 she set up her own business and in 2006 she became Director of Diabetes UK- the largest patient organisation in Europe. She expanded the services of the charity and increased its income from £26 million to £42 million in 3 years. She also set up services in developing countries particularly prone to diabetes. She currently works as a healthcare consultant, working with various NHS programmes and charities. She is particularly interested in policies affecting older people and in 2009 helped set up a Centre for Social Justice commission for older people.
She is a fellow of the Royal Society for Arts and a member of the British Astronomical Association. Penny lives at Port Solent with two very demanding cats. She is a keen painter and hopes to have her first exhibition in 2011.
She fundraises for several local and national charities and ran the League of Friends visiting team at the Queen Alexandra Hospital for the last 5 years. Penny doesn't believe that all the issues facing Portsmouth can be solved by the state. and has set up various volunteering projects in Portsmouth to improve health, education, the environment and support local charities.
Penny's Experience
Penny has worked in politics in both a voluntary and a professional role. She has been Deputy Chairman Political of several associations, including Portsmouth North, was Head of Youth for the Conservative Party under John Major and Head of Broadcasting for the Party for two years under William Hague.
She has advised politicians in the UK and overseas including serving as Head of Foreign Press to US President George Bush for this first Presidential election in 2000. She was first selected to contest Portsmouth North in November 2003 and achieved a 5.5 per cent swing to the Conservatives, making it the 7th most marginal Labour held seat. Reselected in January 2006, Penny firmly believes that it is her job to find practical solutions to help make life better for Portsmouth residents, as well as contribute to a national policy debate.
