Mark has spent most of his life in the Portsmouth area. He grew up in Leigh Park, and Paulsgrove. He left Cowplain Secondary School aged fifteen and trained as an engineer in Portsmouth before studying A Levels at Havant and South Downs College. He subsequently went to university and embarked on a teaching career at Highbury College before teaching in Germany, the USA and Hampshire.
Mark has been a life-long activist in the labour movement – human rights campaigner, trade unionist and community volunteer.
Pompey Football Club is close to Mark’s heart. He is Secretary of Portsmouth Supporters’ Society Limited – Pompey Supporters’ Trust (PST) which helped to secure the future of Portsmouth Football Club in 2013.
Mark says, ‘I have a strong knowledge and a good understanding, as well as a true commitment to the city. I know the pressing issues and problems arising from social and personal inequalities. I’m passionate about challenging inequality, discrimination, and injustice of all kinds’.