I am a lifelong Liberal supporter and have been a member of the NLC since 2015. After attending a secondary modern school I gained a first degree in Politics, two Masters’ degrees, and an MBA at the London Business School.
My career began as a social worker before many years spent in the charity sector: firstly running a mental health charity, then the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, and finally, for 25 years, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations. Made up of more than 15,000 separate charities, the NCVO represents their interests externally and provides services to improve their performance.
I retired from full-time work in 2020 and have since taken on the voluntary role of chairing various organisations. These include the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, where I live, the National Centre for Social Research and the Oversight Trust — which oversees the distribution of unclaimed assets from banks and other financial institutions to support young people and social investment.
I am honoured to take over as Chair of the Board of National Liberal Club Ltd, a critical part of our vibrant Club. I’m pledged to get us to break-even point financially in my three years of office. We have a very able leadership team and I plan to focus on greater room utilisation, improved digital marketing, and offering Club members new profitable services.
In my spare time I enjoy watching Surrey County Cricket Club and soccer at Charlton Athletic. I combine this with further academic work at the Open University in Philosophy and Classical Studies. (Sir Stuart joined the Club in 2015 and became Chair of the Board in January 2025.)
I have practised in the law for 48 years, latterly as a senior judge of the Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery ) Chamber. I retired from my salaried position last year but am still sitting in retirement both in the UK and in the Financial Markets Tribunal in Dubai.
I am active in Club affairs, including acting until recently as Deputy Initial Complaints Coordinator. I was elected Vice-Chair of the NLC in May this year.
My interests include cricket, fine food and wine, history and the theatre, all of which can be enjoyed through my membership of the Club. I joined nearly 20 years ago and am a life member jointly with my wife.
(Tim has been a member of the NLC since 2005 and was first elected to the Members’ Council in 2024, becoming Club Vice-Chair a few weeks later.)
I have been a political member of the Club for nearly a decade now and was appointed as the NLC Honorary Librarian this year. The Club’s specialist Library, covering Liberal philosophy, history and politics, forms a unique resource and complements the marvellous physical heritage of the building and its art collection. We also provide a varied book collection for Members in the Smoking Room, such as reference books, biographies and satire.
My professional background is in healthcare and charity management and before retiring I was Chief Officer of the Unitarian Churches in Great Britain. I am active as chair of several charities, including The McDougall Trust, which aims to advance knowledge of democracy by publishing a well-regarded journal, Representation, among other activities.
I studied Politics and Economics at university followed by an MA in public administration and have an interest in the history of English and Irish Religious Dissent, especially its relationship with Liberal politics.
Libraries are not disappearing despite so much material being available online. I believe that a specialist Library like ours still has a contribution to make to supporting a healthy intellectual life in the NLC. (Derek joined the Club in 2015 and was appointed our Honorary Librarian in 2024.)
My family roots are in the Midlands but I moved to London at 18 to launch my hospitality career as a management trainee with a major hotels group. Since then my varied career has taken me around the globe with periods working in Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.
Much of my professional life was spent building and developing a major hospitality business, the Smart Group Ltd, and I masterminded the Olympic Hospitality Centre for the 2012 Games in London. I’ve led teams that delivered major events including the Chelsea Flower Show, Ryder Cup golf, Henley Regatta, Farnborough and Paris Air Shows, Buckingham Palace Garden Parties, Euro 96 soccer, Royal Ascot, Wimbledon and the Australian Open tennis.
Mentoring has been and remains a huge passion, and I am gratified that many of my protégés have gone on to achieve great success.
I love all sports, both spectating and partaking – where I remain fiercely competitive. Live music is another passion – rock, country, modern and dance. Travelling, dining out and exercise fill my remaining spare time.
I am greatly looking forward to working with both the staff and members of the NLC and sharing my wide-ranging experience to help drive up standards, enhance members’ experience and develop the Club’s considerable potential to attract new business.
I qualified as a barrister and went into tax advisory work when I was persuaded (perhaps unwisely) to take the chartered accountancy exams, which I passed but not without significant effort. After 30 years in the tax profession, I semi-retired to work on one main client and am also Treasurer of The Cricket Society, which aims to promote cricket in all its spheres – playing, watching, listening and reading.
A member of the NLC for nearly 35 years, I am currently the Club Treasurer, former Vice-Chair of the Beer, Wine & Spirits Committee, and a Board member of NLC Ltd. When not doing this and other work, I travel the world playing golf, watching cricket and trying to reduce my golf handicap – this is a work in progress. (Phil joined the Club in 1987)
