Born Redhill (UK), 1958. Studied economics at Cambridge, Bruges (College of Europe), and Oxford. Joined the European Commission in 1985. Spent the next 15 years in DG Industry/Enterprise working in the areas of steel, chemicals, cars and trade negotiations. Joined DG Employment in 2001 as head of the Knowledge Society unit. From January 2004, has been head of unit for Employment Strategy. Involved in the re-orientation of the Lisbon Strategy and the adoption of the first, and the second set of Integrated Guidelines. The Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Job and its successor EU 2020 remains the main priority of the unit and, recently, how to confront the economic downturn and rising unemployment. As of 1st May 2006, also responsible for Local Development and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).With respect to specific policy developments; heavily involved in the Commission's proposal for, and Council's adoption of common principles for flexicurity and more recently, has been at the centre of developing the EU policy initiative entitled New Skills for New Jobs.
