Being the right candidate for the job

I am a local councillor in Newcastle, representing the North Jesmond ward. As a local councillor I regularly deal with police related matters, e.g. anti-social behaviour, night time noise.

I am member of committees that monitor the efficiency (value-for-money) of two large organisations (Newcastle City Council  and Newcastle University), both with a budget larger than the budget of the Northumbria Police.

I am an academic (Reader) at Newcastle University, in the School of Computing Science, and member of the University Council, which is the governing body of the University. I have been also member of the University Senate, which is the highest academic body of the University.

I have been involved in the creation of three university spin-off companies, one of which entered the London Stock Exchange in 2007.

One of my research interests is the analysis of large-scale organisations and I have been involved in advising on organisational change in large organisations. In particular I am interested in implementing and maintaining organisational transparency and building, maintaining and managing trust within organisations.

In the past I have been involved as a leader in non-profit and community organisations. One of the organisations (Civitas Foundation) that I created as chief executive in 1992 is a major player in the Romanian world of non-profit and community organisations that are active in the area of supporting community initiatives and local and regional development. Another organisation (Saltwell Bensham Resident's Association), of which I was the first vice-chairman, successfully fought the Gateshead Council to stop the demolition of many Victorian houses that were considered to contribute critically to the character and spirit of the local community.

I believe that my background in managing, monitoring, and evaluating organisations combined with my experience in the world of community and voluntary organisations and as a local councillor is the most appropriate for the PCC role, and will allow me to act as an unbiased civilian aimed to make sure that the democratic scrutiny of the police works and that the police is responsive to local needs and community priorities.

Please read the posts below and also earlier posts to see my views on some frequently asked questions that I received from the public and also on other issues relevant for the Police and Crime Commissioner position.