Profile

Christine began life in Upminster, Essex. On leaving school at the age of 18 she began work as a bank clerk in London, but after a year she left to take a two year medical secretarial course. She met her husband, John, on a hang gliding course in Brighton and they were married in 1979. John lived in Darlington, so the couple decided to make their home there. They have a son and a daughter, now both grown up.

Christine worked at the local hospital for a while as a medical secretary, and then became a housewife for 5 years. She returned to work in IT as an analyst/programmer having re-trained in this field and having achieved an Open University degree. Eight years later Christine joined John's business, Fletcher Joinery, as office manager which gave her an invaluable insight into running a company. Thirteen years later she returned to medical secretarial work at a local GP surgery.