Claire was elected a Labour Councillor representing Heworth Ward on City of York Council in 2019, the same area of York she has lived in for many years. She became Deputy Leader of the Opposition Labour Group on the City Council in May 2021, Leader in May 2022 and won control of the council in the local elections in 2023 to take the position of Leader of City of York Council.
Prior to being elected Claire worked in a range of roles starting as a science teacher, before working in IT for a period in the US. She then carried her interest in IT into running a small international IT firm for 16 years based in York.
Claire also has significant experience in the charity sector having founded local children’s charity Big Futures Foundation (BFF), of which she remains the Chair of Trustees. BFF works with children from disadvantaged backgrounds to help them and their families improve their emotional wellbeing and life skills and help to close the academic attainment gap.
Claire is also Chair of Trustees of Tang Hall Community Centre, located in the ward she represents. The centre is a vibrant, active hub in the community which hosts various organisations, activities and events, promoting healthy eating and bringing the local community together for friendship, support, learning and leisure.
A passion for social justice and believing everyone deserves the opportunities to succeed in life is what motivates Claire in the various roles she fulfils in the city. She is keen to work across traditional boundaries to deliver the best possible outcomes for the residents of York.
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