John

Relationship Manager

I started at the Standards Board in 2004 having come from a local government background. I initially joined our Referrals team, deciding which allegations should be investigated, and my role has developed and changed since I have been here.

As it became clear that changes in the law would mean Standards for England has a more strategic function, so my policy role grew. I applied for a secondment to work on piloting the new legislation with local authorities across the country. I was so keen to do this that I relocated to Manchester with the organisation to take up the position.

The organisation supports me and my development needs, and our induction programme is now highly developed, thorough and tailored to individual needs. Whatever your interests or skills, Standards for England can find ways of harnessing them. We focus on working together to get the job done and done well, and there is a great team atmosphere. Decisions are reached quickly and efficiently, and support services are the best I have ever had.

Ethics in political life are now firmly on the public agenda. I was recently promoted to a new job managing Standards for England’s relationship with local authorities, as they take on more responsibility for the ethical behaviour of their members. We have embarked on exciting new work around risk that is both innovative and intellectually stretching, and focusing our policy remit in imaginative ways to match the needs of modern local government. There is also an international dimension to our work with ethics in the emerging democracies. At the same time I am enjoying life in Manchester, a city I have always loved. Life in the north-west has much to recommend it, and whether you want a leafy suburb, country life in the beautiful surrounding hills, or like me you prefer the excitement of city-centre living, it is all here on the doorstep.