I was born in Kingston upon Hull in the early fifties.
I have lived in Hackney, London, UK, for thirty years.
In 1986 I founded “At the Sign of the Chest of Drawers” in Upper Street, Islington and ran it for 15 years when I sold it to the staff.
I have had a long term interest in conservation and protecting the built environment and local history. I was a trustee of the Angel Improvement Trust and have been and am a member of various conservation groups in Hackney.
In 1994 I took a mature degree in Law at City University and in 1997 was called to the bar. I have never practised professionally but I have represented numerous people at Disability and Employment Tribunals for the Free Representation Unit and I was an adviser and board member of the Stoke Newington Advice Service. I have been a lay visitor to police stations and was chair of the Islington panel.
I have also sat as a board member of Islington Chamber of Commerce, a co-opted member of Islington Planning sub-committee, and was a co-opted member of the Stoke Newington Neighbourhood Forum.
I stood unsuccessfully for election to Hackney Council as a Liberal Democrat in 2010, 2014 and 2018
And I have been a Member of Council of the British Motorcyclists Federation.
Tony Harms's Blog 