Peter Osbourne

Peter Osbourne, former Chairman of Leicestershire County Council 2010-2011

"Peter Osborne was elected to the County Council in 1999 and represents Rothley and Mountsorrel. Following a spell in Scrutiny work, he was appointed as a Cabinet Support Member in 2007 and a year later was appointed as a full member of the Cabinet for Children & Young People’s Services: responsibilities were for vulnerable children, youth services and for community safety as it impacts on young people. From 2007 he has also served on Charnwood Borough Council and held the Cabinet appointment for finance. Prior to his election to the County Council Peter has served as Chairman of the Hinckley & Bosworth and Charnwood Conservative Associations, and as Chairman of the Woodhouse Parish Council.

"Politics and involvement in the local community is something of an Osborne family tradition. Peter’s father served as a Member of Parliament for 24 years and his sister, Baroness Byford, sits in the House of Lords and served as Shadow Minister for Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs from 1997 to 2007. His mother was also Vice-Chairman of the Conservative Party in the 1970’s. Peter’s late twin brother, Bob, served on the County Council for many years and held the position of Leader of the Conservative Group.

"Peter has worked with a number of voluntary organisations since the age of 17. He was Secretary of the Coalville Volunteer Centre and, together with fellow board members, oversaw the transition to the Marlene Reid Centre CVS. He is a Past Master (and a current Trustee) of the Framework Knitters Livery Company, which has almshouses in Oadby.

"A keen sportsman, Peter is a Technical Official in the field of athletics, particularly road-running, and coaches athletics and endurance running. He has also worked as a Technical Official at equestrian events. He was a volunteer official for the Special Olympics. He is Secretary of the Leicestershire League of Road Running Clubs and is himself a keen long-distance runner, having completed the London, New York, Berlin, Chicago and Paris marathons.

"Peter’s early professional career was in textiles; he was Sales Director for the Woodfords Group prior to being seconded to participate in the British- American marketing Programme at Harvard, graduating in 1968. He has served as a director on a number of companies and farms locally in Woodhouse, Rothley and Swithland, where he is undertaking a number of environmental conservation projects. Peter is married to Catherine, who will be supporting him on official engagements throughout his term of office as Chairman. Catherine has volunteered with the hospice movement for 28 years, specialising in education and fundraising, with St Luke’s in Sheffield for 25 years, and with LOROS for the past three years. Catherine is also a keen gardener."

Affiliations

• Trustee, National Forest Charitable Trust ‎