Leicestershire County Councillor - Cosby and Countesthorpe Ward including Foston, Kilby and South Whetstone.
Blaby District Ward Councillor - Cosby with South Whetstone Ward and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing, Net Zero, Community and Environmental Services
Regional Chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses (East Midlands)
Part-time Tutor @ De Montfort University and Member of the Faculty of Business and Law Advisory Board.
Director Trustee – Wyggeston Hospital Trust
Clerk to Cosby Parish Council
Les has lived in the in the District Ward and County Division for over 30 years with his wife of over 40 years, Jackie; a specialist in early-years children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Their two grown up children were educated locally at Badgerbook, Thomas Estley and Countesthorpe Leysland before studying at De Montfort University and University of Leicester before leaving home to start their careers and independent lives.
Les is delighted to be able to invest his time and experience in our schools and universities as a student mentor and a part-time Tutor at De Montfort University helping the next generation gain those all-important, business and employability skills. Coaching and teaching Postgraduate students with business research projects whilst working with businesses, local government and education establishments all contribute to developing the education, skills and employment of the future.
Passionate about our social environment, where we live and the opportunities that everyone should have, Les works tirelessly to ensure that both local and personal issues such as ASB, roads; Adult Social Care, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, school placements, health; traffic and housing where his Cabinet Portfolio and role at the County Council really come into play and ensure that local issues are championed in the most effective manner.
Les is also well known as a powerful voice keen to ensure that high quality housing and employment growth is welcome but is well located, of great design and beneficial to our residents and communities and says: -.
“It is down to the hard work, skill and dedication of the staff, Officers and Conservative Councillors at Blaby District Council and Leicestershire County Council that the Blaby district has been voted the 5th best place to live in England and Leicestershire is one of the fastest growing economies in the country.
As your councils and your elected representatives, we will always have to make difficult decisions, some of which may not be popular, but I am proud to be part of the lead group at both Blaby District Council and Leicestershire County Council, lead groups that have always cast their votes, been prepared to stand up and be counted; and always taken the decisions that are right for the people who live, work and play in the Blaby and Leicestershire county area.
In the Blaby district, we are privileged to be seen as a golden economy for investment and employment and these investments and developments will bring challenges but also amazing opportunities for generations to come; not just with local jobs and skills but with access to brand new state-of-the-art leisure, education and health services; investment and improvements to schools, roads and motorway junctions, social care and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities along with a wide range of mixed and affordable housing for local people”.
Starting his career as an Apprentice at GEC in New Parks; Les quickly moved on to enjoy a career in a leading FTSE100 Plc and most latterly a major USA Group bringing him into contact with amazing people from all walks of life. Now; as a Co-Director of a local business consultancy, Regional Chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses, Clerk to Cosby Parish Council and coach and mentor for students from year 11 upwards to Masters level; Les says: -
“I am privileged to be able to help others succeed by pursuing my passion for people, business, innovation, skills and our social fabric. I get to work with a wide variety of businesses; education and technical experts and represent thousands of people and small businesses across the East Midlands; ensuring that their voices are heard with senior stakeholders; politicians and Government agencies alike.
As a mature business person and ex-job hunter himself, Les is profoundly aware of the challenges faced by the over 50’s who are finding re-employment challenging and witnessing first-hand the enormous impacts that unemployment can have on family life.
Now a champion for the 3rd Age (Over 50’s), Les and a small team are focused on highlighting the vast potential of the over 50’s who possess immense business and economic expertise and have the experience to identify new opportunities, attract investment; build businesses and create jobs. Les is also in discussions with Higher Education and global research groups about the challenges and opportunities for the over 50’s and collectively, we look forward to making a real difference to the lives and opportunities of real people living and working in the third age.
Other Councillors representing this Ward:
