About Marcus

About me

I am the Torbay Conservatives choice to fight the next General Election and I am currently the Conservatives Parliamentary Spokesperson for Torbay.

I live in central Torquay in one half of a Georgian town house overlooking Torquay's famous harbour. I have two daughters, Astrid and Charlotte, who both attend local schools; the eldest is now studying at Torbay Grammar School.

I started out in restaurant management before setting up my own frozen food business in 1981, aged 21. My business grew to include a high-class delicatessen, a food manufacturing company and a catering and events business and eventually, a theme restaurant opposite Windsor Castle; which was a disaster.

I leaned that the best route to a small fortune is to begin with a big fortune and then open a restaurant!

In the mid 1990's I became a full time management consultant. Today I run Fleming Banfu International, an executive search firm. My wife Karen is the book-keeper for a number of local businesses.

My interests include slowly renovating our house, motorcycling and skiing; and I am also a keen amateur artist, painting in water colour and oils.

My Experience

I have been in a number of Conservative constituency posts including Association Chairman.

I was the candidate for Torbay in the 2005 General Election where the 4.9 swing was among the highest Lib-Con swings anywhere in the country.

I campaigned for a 'yes' vote in the mayoral referendum in Torbay in the summer of 2005 and I then went on to become campaign manager for Nick Bye in his successful bid to become Torbays first directly elected mayor that Autumn.

I have also championed or started a number of successful local campaigns including helping to save both Upton School and the St Margaret's school special Hearing Unit.

I am an active internet blogger as well as maintaining my own regular blog (www.marcuswood.blogspot.com) I frequently comment in political debates online.

My Politics

A quick scan through three years worth of blog entries is easily the best way to understand my politics but for those that don’t have the time I would summarise myself as ‘not a typical Tory’ .

I am a total supporter of David Cameron and his modernising agenda - and I have recognised the need for the Conservative party to stress our compassionate roots since I joined the party in 1997.

I am very much an economic liberal, my business experience has proven to me that the less Government

interferes with commerce the better for everyone, by and large.

I am Euro-cynical but believe we have no choice other than to stay in the EU and try to mould it to our liking rather than quit.