Virginia was born in 1969 and bought up in London. She attended a local school where she showed her individualism at an early age becoming the first female there to study technology. She continued this fascination for the subject and now holds a PhD in engineering becoming a partner and later a director of Max Fordham llp, one of the leading consultancies specialising in environmental engineering, building design and consultancy services, winning the Queens Award for Enterprise.

Following her time at Max Fordham, Virginia successfully changed careers to become an author, and today is writing her second book on the Vietnam War. She lived in Asia, the first year working for the United Nations Development Programme and the second walking some 1,000 miles in remote mountainous areas undertaking research for her books. Her next project is to examine cultural integration in Britain.

Virginia is married with a daughter and in her spare time enjoys flying as well as gardening.

Political biography

Since 2002 Virginia has been a Councillor for the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, holding the portfolio of Shadow Cabinet Member for Civic Pride and Planning. Previously she stood for parliament for Oxford East in 2005.

Voluntary work is a critical part of Virginia’s life, part of which has included serving as a governor for 7 years at the school she originally attended, in that time she has helped to raise funds for new classrooms. She is also the chairman of the local United Nations Association overseeing the expansion of their citizenship program.

Campaign information

Virginia is delighted to have been selected for West Ham as she enjoys the cultural diversity of the area. She would like West Ham to lead the country in showing how a community can live in harmony.  She strongly believes in improving civic pride, tackling crime and making sure our children have a good start in life through a solid education.