From the corridors of Holgate to the heart of Derbyshire’s policing and community safety strategy, my journey has been anything but ordinary. I was elected as Derbyshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner in May 2024 and also served as one of the APCC national joint leads for economic and cybercrime.
In my national role, I focus on tackling key issues such as online safety, fraud, hacking, and economic crime—helping to protect communities in an ever-evolving digital world.
Holgate played a massive part in shaping who I am today. I moved to Hucknall from Zimbabwe in 2002, started at the school in year 9, and completed my studies in sixth form. It was a place with great teachers (special shout-out to Mr Day, Mr Endy, Mrs McKenna, and Miss Clifton—absolute legends), unforgettable friendships, and so many stories I could share, and, of course, the unbeatable canteen classics.
After Holgate, I earned a degree in Criminology and International Relations from the University of Lincoln, working in retail and restaurants to earn money while I studied. I went on to work at the Women’s Centre and later had a role in account management and business development for a company called N2O, delivering experiential marketing campaigns for brands in Boots UK. I was very fortunate to stand as a district councillor for Hucknall Central Ward at the age of 24 and was appointed cabinet member for the Safer and Stronger Communities portfolio in my first term.
I served alongside fellow politicians and former Holgate students, such as Lachlan Morrison, Keir Morrison, and Lauren Mitchell. Before my more recent election in 2024, I worked as an inward investment and business expansion specialist, supporting a range of companies from high-growth SMEs to global businesses, helping them navigate and accelerate their expansion plans.
I’m a firm believer in partnership, collaboration, and the positive power of politics. As vice-chair and women’s representative on Labour’s East Midlands Regional Board for over 7 years, and a former East Midlands representative on Labour’s National Policy Forum, I’ve seen firsthand how policies can shape communities for the better.
I believe that education in all its forms opens doors, which is why I also serve as a member of the Nova Education Trust, a cross-phase multi-academy trust educating over 10,000 pupils across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Leicestershire. I have always wanted to make a difference and intentionally look for roles where I can learn, develop, and hopefully add value.
To any Holgate student reading this—dream big, take every opportunity, and never underestimate where your journey can take you. You won’t always get it right, but it is really important to try and try again. If a girl who once sat in the same classes, walked the same corridors, and queued up for a chicken baguette at lunch can end up being a politician with a national portfolio, imagine what you can achieve.
Get involved
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Made at Holgate
Please visit our dedicated alumni page, Made at Holgate, for more inspiring stories and experiences from our former students, and to learn how you can become part of our unique network.
