South Bermondsey candidates

Gary Bland

Born in Stepney, Gary has lived locally for 22 years. He met his wife Debbie, who has lived in Bermondsey all of her life, in 1983; they have two children. Gary started campaigning to improve the Blue in April 2009; his Support Our Small Shops Campaign posters can be seen all over the Blue. He decided to run as a councillor after speaking to residents on estates and streets in the ward. Gary said: "I want to support residents who feel they have no chance, no chance on their streets and estates, no chance for their children and for pensioners. Residents need people who listen to them and take action to help where they can. Small steps can make big changes."

Personal website: garybland.org.

David Pilkington

David grew up in Sheffield and Glasgow before moving to Southwark ten years ago to work in a shop. As a historian he is enthused about the mission to preserve Bermondsey's historic buildings and green spaces. He says that he is particularly concerned about Section 106 money raised in SE1 being spent in SE15. Having set up his own firm last year, he is aware of how many employers are concerned about the ability to conduct and expand business despite the complexity and scale of local/national government bureaucracy and high levels of taxation.

Bill Rees

Bill, who is originally from Wales, has lived in Bermondsey for five years. Bermondsey has so much to offer. He believes that areas such as the Blue have clearly suffered as investment has been poured into Canada Water, Peckham and other such areas. Whilst we are seeing plenty of new buildings in central Bermondsey we still have minimal bus services connecting us with nearby areas and further afield. If elected he would look to re-route buses to get people back into the heart of Bermondsey who don't come at the moment because it is easier to go and shop elsewhere.

Emma Bushell

No details available.

Jayne Forbes

No details available.

Revd Pat Alden

Pat has been a teacher and religious education consultant. She is also a school governor. Ordained priest in 2003, she is attached to the parish of St Philip and St Mark Avondale Square.

Cormac Hollingsworth

Cormac Hollingsworth stood in Riverside ward in 2006 and at the 2007 by-election. He is a director in a European investment bank in the City. He is also a school governor. He is particularly concerned about the service tenants and leaseholders get from the council, and making sure that complaints are dealt with promptly.

Ade Lasaki

Ade has lived in the borough of Southwark since 1974. He moved into Chaucer Ward in 1993 and was chair of Decima Street TRA. He is a director of Leathermarket JMB. Having moved to South Bermondsey in 2003, he has been involved in Longfield TRA, Safer Neighbourhood Team, Area Housing Forum, South Bermondsey Partnership Board, Tenants Council and Housing Options Appraisal Working Group. Elected as a Lib Dem councillor in 2006, he joined Labour in March 2010.

Michael Bukola

Michael is "a local boy done good". His mum worked for Peek Freans and Anchor Butter. Michael is a business graduate, working in security. Michael is a council tenant, school governor and trustee of local charities Blackfriars Settlement and Volunteer Centre Southwark.

Paul Kyriacou

Paul Kyriacou has lived in South Bermondsey for over more than three decades, and been a councillor since 2002. In 2005/6 he was executive member for Communication and Performance Improvement. His background is within the local community; helping the long term unemployed find sustainable employment and consultancy in sales and marketing, whilst being a member of his residents' association. His interests are improving the local area by economic and social regeneration by encouraging business and employment opportunities. Ensuring that children have more quality play areas and youths have more facilities, overall having an impact on crime in the area; improving the quality of life for all residents. He served as Mayor of Southwark in 2006/7 and is now executive member for environment. .

Graham Neale

Graham was chair of his tenants' association and was first elected as a local councillor in Livesey ward in 2002. He is voluntary director of an environmental charity, runs a small removal business, and is studying at Goldsmiths College. He is a qualified swimming teacher and is passionate about giving young people more to do.

Nigel Seary

No details available.