Carolyn has over 30 years’ experience in planning and related areas of law, working in commercial legal practices and in-house for a property development company. She is now a partner at Leeds-based Clarion Solicitors, heading up their planning law unit. Throughout her career Carolyn has provided legal advice and acted as trusted adviser for significant and long-running regeneration, infrastructure and development projects across the country.

Born and brought up in Leeds, Carolyn left the city to complete an honours degree in English Literature and History at the University of York. She then worked within local government, in children’s services, urban regeneration and legal services, and was involved in implementing new legislation and policy before studying law and achieving honours in the Law Society’s final examination.

Carolyn is an active member of the wider community, with a particular interest and support of the arts. She is co-founder of Leeds Fashion Works and Yorkshire Textiles, two initiatives that since 2009 have successfully catalysed the highlighting of the region's fashion and textiles industries on the international stage for innovation and economic growth. She has regularly promoted and fostered schemes for learning and skills training for local people when opportunities arise with clients or other contacts. Previously a member of the Board of Leeds Trinity University for nine years, Carolyn is currently Chair of the Board of Leeds Conservatoire and a member of the Board of Luminate Education Group. Carolyn has been appointed since 1999 as a member of independent remuneration panels for local authorities in Leeds and West Yorkshire, was lay chair of the Standards Committee of the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority and is now the Independent Person for Standards for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.