I grew up in London and was fortunate enough to have a good state-school education. After University I returned to London and in 2006 started a business in the Legal Technology sector, which I still run today. Through its growth, and that of other start-up companies, I have created hundreds of jobs. As a successful entrepreneur, I believe I have useful skills and experiences to bring to my political and community work.
My wife Tamara is a social worker and together we love visiting restaurants, frequenting pubs and battling to stay fit. It's a challenge...
In 2014 our son Harry Watkins arrived after a lengthy delay and four amazing midwives, who showed the NHS at its very best. He has now been joined by little Florence and both are growing up just like their Dad - loving life!
We have returned to the family roots in Kent and I continue to be an active campaigner on issues I am passionate about and for the Conservative cause, locally and nationally. In May 2019 I was successful in winning the seat of Greenhill ward in Herne Bay, becoming a Councillor on Canterbury City Council. I hugely enjoy serving the people of Herne Hay and working to make improvements to our fantastic seaside community.
I have always been a huge advocate of volunteering to help improve your local area. For 8 years I was a governor of a Special Educational Needs school in Wandsworth. I volunteered for 5 years at the Shaw Trust charity, mentoring the long-term unemployed back into work. In addition, I set up my own community group, where local volunteers came together to run environmental projects such as river cleaning, litter-picking and enhancing our wild green spaces. More recently I have become an ambassador for the Kent Youth Support Trust, which helps young people from disadvantaged background start up a business, with one centre on the Isle of Sheppey and another planned for Margate.
I'm a keen cyclist and often to be found on my bike. As a member of the RSPB and the World Wide Fund for Nature, I believe in the conservation of our green spaces - locally, nationally and overseas. The environment is very important to me and I am a Patron for Tories for Climate Action, a leading Conservative think tank working to tackle climate change.
I stood to be MP for Tooting at the 2015 General Election, where I narrowly lost to Sadiq Khan, before standing again in the 2016 Tooting By-election and 2017 General Election.
I am very excited to be standing for the division of Herne Bay East on Kent County Council in the May 2021 elections and would be delighted to have your support, so that I can build upon my work improving the town for residents and visitors alike.
If you would like to get involved with any of my projects - political or non-political - please get in touch with me at dan@danwatkins.org.uk .