Peter was born in Billericay in Essex in 1952 and was educated at Westcliff-on-Sea Grammar School. He lives in Rushden and is a chartered accountant by profession, having qualified in 1977. He has also run both a public company and a family business. He is married to Jennie and they have three children: Alex who is an RAF helicopter pilot, Helen who is a teacher and Thomas who was born 01/01/01.

Peter is heavily involved in the local community. He is the founder of the Listening to Wellingborough and Rushden Campaign which has been helping local residents and groups since 2001. Peter is the Leader of HealthWatch and is a Save Our Schools (SOS) campaigner.

A former Councillor and School Governor, Peter is also a former voluntary board member of Rockingham Forest Housing Association. He has a huge interest in our community and works hard to listen and represent local people.

Peter is also a keen sportsman and he has run in the London Marathon on many occasions, raising thousands of pounds for charity. Peter and his family are members of St Mary's Church in Rushden and Peter’s wife, Jennie, sits on the Parochial Church Council.

Elected to Parliament in May 2005, Peter serves on the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments. He is Treasurer of the All Party Trafficking of Women and Children Group, Secretary of the All Party Road Traffic Group and on the Health Select committee. He is also a Member of the Finance Bill Committee which meets four times a week in Parliament to go through the details of the budget announced this year. It is through the line by line scrutiny of the budget in committee that he’ll be able to highlight the Government’s inconsistencies and hopefully improve the Finance Bill. Previously he also been on the Trade and Industry Select committee.