About Deborah
I was born and brought up in Bolton where I still live, and educated at Mount Saint Josephs Grammar School.
I live in Turton, with my husband Mark and 3 children, Olly, Isabella and Scarlett.
Professionally, I am a Director of Peel Policy Forum the North West’s first and only Independent Think Tank. I also Lead on Women2Win in the North West, a Conservative linked organisation which helps more women in to Parliament and public life generally. Historically I was a Director of Sterling Financial Advice a firm of Independent Financial Advisers, and I hold the professional qualification of Cert PFS. I specialised in investments and pension advice for small companies. Prior to the 2010 GE I gave up my Directorship to concentrate full time on my Parliamentary ambitions.
My interests outside politics include football, just watching now (I’m a life long Manchester United fan) but I previously coached junior football and hold an FA coaching certificate. I also love walking in the Lake District, where my sister and Brother in Law run the fabulous Scafell Hotel htpp://www.scafell.co.uk in the Borrowdale Valley. I also run with my dog Moose, who’s a lot faster than I am!
Past Experience
I became involved in politics in 1992, when I was appointed vice chair for the Bromley Cross Branch in Bolton NE, where I campaigned with the sitting MP to keep his seat in the 1992 GE. This was achieved with a majority of a little over 180.
I stood for Parliament in 2005 in Bolton South East. I’m currently chair of Rossendale & Darwen Constituency for Jake Berry MP. I also sat on a working Party chaired by a Board Member directly under David Cameron’s scrutiny.
I went on to stand in a key marginal seat at the 2010 GE. Latterly I have just completed a years contract with The Department of Health as Director of Patient and Public Involvement.
I also sat on a Roundtable for The Pensions Minister to look at the future of personal pensions.
My special interests are education and the link from leaving school to employment, pensions, and women’s issues.
