John is a highly skilled leader and manager with 14 years experience as a Local Authority Chief Officer in Knowsley, as Director of Leisure and Community Services. His portfolio included Arts, Libraries, Museum, Parks and Countryside, Sport and the Community and Youth Service. He has led on a number of major projects aimed at regeneration. These have ranged from the £160m Birmingham Convention Centre to Libraries, Community Centres and Sports Centres.

He has been Chair of the Chief Cultural and Leisure Officers Association (CLOA) and was interim Head of Culture for the London Borough of Newham from May 2006 to March 2007.

Currently John is Chair of Merseyside Sports Board and is a board member of the Sport and Recreation Alliance (previously CCPR).

John has championed the contribution that sport and physical activity, libraries and arts can make to the health agenda and was Chair of the Knowsley Health Partnership Board for three years. Key achievements include the Activity for Life Programme and the Tower Hill Health and Community Centre.

He has a depth of experience in working with politicians and other leaders in local government and the health service and a detailed understanding of modern local government processes.