Leicestershire County Councillor for the Cosby and Countesthorpe Ward including South Whetstone, Foston and Kilby
Blaby District Ward Councillor - Cosby with South Whetstone Ward and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services
Part-time Tutor @ De Montfort University
Regional Chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses (East Midlands)
Clerk to Cosby Parish Council
Born and raised in Braunstone Town; Les was educated at Ravenhurst and Winstanley schools providing him with a proud and life-forming education that has truly stood the test of time. Les lives locally with his wife of 39 years, Jackie; a specialist in early-years children with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties.
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 and leaving home to start their careers and independent lives. Les is delighted to be able to give back to our schools and universities as both a student mentor and a part-time Tutor at De Montfort University where he supervises and coaches Masters’ Degree students with business research projects, helping the next generation gain those all-important, business skills.
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; health; traffic; social care, education, housing and dog fouling are championed and dealt with in the most efficient manner and is a powerful voice keen to ensure that good housing and employment growth is welcome but is well located 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, a group that has 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 and skills. 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 launched a new recruitment and placement job board specialising in 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 and to lobbying Government.
Other Councillors representing this Ward:
