Originally from Gateshead, Councillor Hood was educated at Fell Dyke School and the Boys’ Grammar School. He has been a Labour Party supporter for nearly 40 years. Most of his working life was spent in the printing industry where he was an active trade unionist serving as FOC (Father of the Chapel) and also as a Health & Safety Representative for many years.
Having been made redundant in 2007, he re-trained to support people with learning difficulties and is currently employed by Mencap, working with students at Dilston College in Corbridge.

Councillor Hood is on the committees of The Friends of Elisabethville, Eighton
Banks Village Hall, The Mount Community Association, Birtley East Tenants & Residents Association, Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE), Foundations Furniture Project, Gateshead Blind Trust, Gateshead Youth Council, Gateshead District Scout Council and Lord Lawson Youth Wing. He is also a Lamesley Parish Councillor. Councillor Hood has nominated Aquila Way, FACT (Fighting All Cancers Together), Help for Heroes and Mencap as his chosen charities.