aBOUT ME
The short version...
I have dedicated my career to addressing persistent inequalities and putting people at the heart of change in their lives and communities. I first joined the Labour party aged 22.
As Chief Executive of a successful, national social enterprise that transforms public services, I have learnt to listen without judgement, understand problems from different perspectives, and value the ideas of local people. I have proven experience helping people to solve the local issues they care about, making a difference to thousands of lives.
I was previously Director of Strategy for the New York Public Library system, with responsibility for refreshing the organisation’s mission for the 21st Century. Prior to that, I was a researcher at Demos and the Overseas Development Institute, publishing on independent living, personalised learning, and collective action.
I'm a proud Fabian woman, Governor on the board of the Museum of London, and a Mum to two wonderful boys.
The longer version...
My whole career has been grounded in Labour values - helping to build a society in which everyone can flourish and contribute, whatever our background. I’ve always felt that in my bones, because I was lucky enough to grow up with parents who showed me that is what human beings should do.
My Mum is a listener. The person who, even now, my friends talk through their problems with. As a musician, my Dad cared passionately about access to music for all. He founded London Symphony Orchestra Discovery to bring the Orchestra and its music to everybody.
Together, they taught me to listen, empower others and lead positive change. That’s who I am, and these are the qualities I bring to Guildford.
It’s also why I’ve committed the last 15 years to leading a UK-wide social enterprise that listens to local people and helps them to transform public services where they live. During this time, I have successfully led programmes to spread grassroots solutions in children's social care, early years, violence reduction and schools.
In mental health, I have helped to establish community hubs across the UK that give people somewhere to turn on a bad day. Evaluations show improved mental health and quality of life for thousands of people. They also improve staff morale, and save money on crisis services. We have changed NHS England policy as a result.
I am really proud of impact like this, but working with communities up and down the country, my anger at successive Conservative governments has grown. I’ve seen first-hand how austerity, the cost of living crisis, and a stagnant economy have made it almost impossible for even the most organised communities, and the most motivated public servants to tackle ever-worsening inequalities - just as they have in Guildford.
In the end, building a Britain in which we can all flourish, is about politics - our values, priorities and where we put our resources. That’s why we need a transformational Labour government.
And that’s why I’ve spent the past couple of years doing everything I can to contribute to Labour success (whilst being a Mum and a Chief Executive). I have contributed my organisation’s learning on public service reform to Labour strategy, and campaign regularly for candidates and issues I believe in.
Now, it is my privilege to bring my values, passion and experience to Guildford to get Angela Richardson out - and a Labour government in, to deliver the flourishing economy and public services that residents are crying out for.