Nigel Rock, Parliamentary Candidate

Nigel Rock

Nigel Rock is the Liberal Democrats' Parliamentary Candidate for the new seat of Kenilworth and Southam at the next General Election.

Nigel Rock is a candidate with strong local connections and a track record of successfully campaigning for the areas he represents. He has worked at various sites within the Kenilworth and Southam Constituency for over 30 years, and lived at Napton, in the heart of the new constituency, for 24 years. He has family connections to Kenilworth and places of work at Ryton, Radford Semele, Baginton and Ashorne. Nigel has represented Stockton and Napton on Stratford District Council since 2003.

Nigel was born and lived as a child in Attleborough, on the outskirts of Nuneaton. He was educated in a local primary school followed a comprehensive school in Bedworth, staying on to the sixth form. He became a student apprentice in the automotive industry, working at the Ryton Plant, then owned by Rootes/Chrysler. While working there Nigel obtained an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering from Hatfield Polytechnic.

Nigel Rock with Nick Clegg

From his first post working in aerodynamics with Chrysler, he went to Ford truck engineering in design development and the application of analytical techniques, and then into consultancy. Here he led some prominent projects for automotive, rail and aerospace, involving efficient structures and safety research. The best known of these was the investigation of the Kegworth air crash in 1989, which, in collaboration with clinicians, led to the acceptance by the aviation authorities of an improved brace position for passengers.

Nigel has been a senior manager both in consultancy and with British Steel, which he joined in 1996. After a period on secondment to Ashorne Management College, he became self -employed, and is currently working on assignments in the renewable energy sector.

Nigel is a Chartered Mechanical and European Engineer, and a Chartered Quality Professional. He has been a board member of professional engineering divisions for Engineering in Medicine and Automotive Engineering.

Nigel joined the (then) Liberal party in 1983, but professional commitments meant he did not stand for elected office until 2003 when he won the Stockton and Napton Council seat at his first attempt. At Stratford District Council, he has been the Liberal Democrat spokesman on corporate affairs, and is member of the environment committee, pushing for maximum effectiveness from the council on environment matters. With a strong background in environmental and quality management he is always pressing for continuous improvement in the Council.

At a national level Nigel would like to see a fairer society with a tax system that does not have earnings traps, and wants more efficiency from government. He takes a particular interest in transport and the environment, seeking practical ways to protect the planet by international co-operation, with Britain as a leader in energy technologies. He sees the knowledge and educational base as a key to future prosperity for Britain.

When President of his Rotary club Nigel selected climate change awareness as his theme. In his spare time he plays tenor saxophone (Smooth and Saxy web site) and maintains an interest in industrial history of railways and canals. He was formerly a rugby football referee and has competed at archery and fencing.

Nigel has been a migraine sufferer since his teens. He also has close family involvement with severe disabilities and has campaigned for better appreciation though the Southam access group.

Nigel is married, with one daughter.