The Cambrian Learning Trust’s Platinum Primary Character and Citizenship Awards Presentation Evening11 June 2026The Beacon, Wantage This evening I had the immense pleasure of attending The Cambrian Learning Trust’s Platinum Primary Character and Citizenship Awards Presentation Evening at The Beacon in Wantage. I was there in my role as a Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, which…
Yesterday afternoon, the sun shone on the Terrace of the House of Commons, and it felt as though the whole place was full to bursting with people speaking up for cats. Cats Protection’s Parliamentary Reception was, quite simply, a joy. There was afternoon tea. There were games. There were cat-shaped biscuits. And there was one…
I was recently invited to give a keynote on the theme “Five lessons for tomorrow’s leaders, today” to a room of charity and civil society leaders drawn from around the world. It is the sort of title that sounds straightforward until you sit down to write it. Leadership is not exactly short of commentary. There…
I am not a member of any political party. That feels worth saying at the outset. For many years, I belonged to the party I had followed since I was a student. It helped shape my political instincts and gave expression to many of the values I still hold. But in time I resigned my…
There are some moments in public life that feel quietly significant, even if – to anyone passing by – they look faintly ridiculous. This morning was one of those. Easter Sunday, 9.30am, on the Marcham Road roundabout in Abingdon. The timing was meant to keep traffic to a minimum. In truth, it was still busy…
There are some moments that stay with you not because they are grand or formal, but because they feel real. Opening BrownieMacs today in was exactly that. I have been buying Charlie Humphrey’s brownies since he starred selling them on Bicester’s Friday market (he still does, and will continue to do so). A stall, trays…
Over the past year as High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, one lesson has come through consistently: if we want to change outcomes for young people, we must start with relationships. That demands a different kind of attention, and a different kind of leadership. Over the past year, as High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, I have worked under…
There are moments in this role when you can feel something beginning to shift. Last week at Broughton Castle, I had the privilege of attending the launch of The Sun Fund – a bold, business-led initiative aimed at tackling youth disadvantage in Banbury and opening up real pathways into employment for young people. What struck…
Last thing on Sunday evening, I had the pleasure of joining Radley College for the opening concert of its splendid new Music School – a wonderful way to end the weekend. It was a memorable occasion, with HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh attending as guest of honour and unveiling a suitably elegant plaque to mark…
There are few things guaranteed to keep one grounded in public life, and a primary school assembly is right up there. On Friday afternoon, Mark and I joined Windale School for their end-of-week celebration assembly – a school very much at the heart of its community, with a strong emphasis on inclusion, encouragement and helping…
