Jean spent her childhood in Liverpool and attended Manchester University before embarking on her medical career and training as an occupational physician.
She has worked within a number of different industry sectors including service, chemical, bioscience and explosives industries. In June 2000 she relocated to the Western Isles and has since worked as an occupational physician on a part time basis and has undertaken voluntary and political work within her local community.
A frequent visitor to Scotland since her early childhood holidays in the Highlands and with a total 14 years spent living in the country she is committed to the success of Scotland and particularly of island communities such as her own. Jean believes the best way to achieve this is by having a strong voice in Parliament particularly in support of those traditionally liberal areas of the Highlands and Islands which have particular needs.
In her local community Jean has also demonstrated commitment at a practical local level by her work with various voluntary groups. She is currently Chair of the Western Isles Rape Crisis Centre and a Director of the Western Isles Association for Mental Health and has previously worked as a volunteer advisor at the local Citizens Advice Bureau and for SSAFA Forces Help. She has also served as a member of Laxdale Community Council.
Jean was the Liberal Democrat candidate at the 2005 election and increased the Party vote and raised the profile of the Liberal Democrats moving the Party from 4th to 3rd in the vote. Jean is currently convener of the local Party and in 2007 Western Isles Liberal Democrats for the first time fielded 4 candidates for the local elections.
When she has time Jean enjoys the countryside, meeting friends and walking her two Golden Retrievers
