Jonathan Ash-Edwards was elected the Hertfordshire Police & Crime Commissioner on Thursday 2nd May, following the decision of David Lloyd to stand down after 12 years' service.
The son of a chartered accountant and teaching assistant, Jonathan wasn't born into politics. His upbringing instilled into him the importance of a good education, family, working hard to build a career and contributing to community.
Highly committed to public service, Jonathan first got into politics when Gordon Brown’s Government tried to close the hospital in the town he grew up in, and helped local MPs lead the successful campaign to prevent the closure.
Jonathan then served as a local Councillor in Sussex for 16 years, including as a Council Leader, as well as founding an education trust now responsible for the education of over 3,500 young people.
Jonathan chaired a high performing Community Safety Partnership for four years, giving him a significant insight into effective strategies for crime prevention and tackling anti-social behaviour.
Through his work with Sussex PCC Katy Bourne, Jonathan has a strong understanding of the role of Police & Crime Commissioner and how the role can be used to deliver effective and efficient policing.
Alongside his public service, Jonathan is a serial business builder, creating jobs and delivering great services. He started his first business at the age of 24 and now leads a company delivering major projects to clients across a range of sectors. Jonathan has also worked in education in Hertfordshire.
Hertfordshire means a lot to Jonathan. It’s where he met his partner who is Herts born and bred and Jonathan now lives in the county with his family.