I have lived in Holmes Chapel since 1987, having moved down from the Highlands of Scotland, when I was 19. I’m married and have one son, who attended nursery, primary and senior schools in Holmes Chapel.

My initial reason for living in Holmes Chapel was to start a career in IT, which I was able to do with Barclays Bank, initially working in their datacentre in south Manchester and then their campus site at Radbroke Hall. My career provided me with a rich experience not just in IT but finance, risk, project management and service delivery, which I hope will be of use to the Holmes Chapel community. My role also included being part of the leadership of the Campus site, bringing me close to how ideas are developed and delivered for the benefit of colleagues and to the wider community. I was especially proud to sponsor the Bletchley Park team and code breaker Bette Webb to come and talk to students from the area including Holmes Chapel Comprehensive about her war-time experiences and the first computers.

Having now retired and being a consumer of services, that Holmes Chapel has to offer, I wanted to give something back to help continue to be a great place to live. I’m interested in the decision making and community projects that the Parish Council delivers and how it adapts to the changing needs of the community but maintains a balance in how land is used within the Parish to retain that village feel.

Cllr Rattray is a member of the Strategy & Finance and Amenities Committees