I was elected as Lambeth and Southwark's representative on the London Assembly in 2000. I live in Upper Norwood, SE19, and have been a south London resident and advocate for over 20 years. 

I have worked for the Inner London Education Authority, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and as Head of Public Affairs for the National Federation of Women's Institutes. And I have also been the Labour Party's National Women's Officer.

Between 1994 and 2000 I was councillor on the London Borough of Croydon between, serving as Chair of the Education Committee (1995-1997), Deputy Leader (1996-1997) and Leader (1997-2000).

I have a degree in Politics from Liverpool University and a  Masters Degree in Education from the London Institute.

In 2002 I was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Between 2000 and 2008 I was Chair of the London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority, which runs London's Fire Brigade. Several national roles arose from this work, including being a member of the Fire Minister's Sounding Board on Fire Service Modernisaton. This year, however, Mayoral appointments to the functional bodies were rearranged, and I am now a member of the Metropolitan Police Authority.  I am settling into this new role and look forward to working with the police in the challenging times they are facing.

As a member of the London Assembly I currently hold the following responsibilities:

• Chair of the Transport Committee 
• Member of the Confirmation Hearings Committee 
• Member of the Metropolitan Police Authority