OBV Profile: Floyd Millen

We take a look at his career and some of the many initiatives he is involved in as he moves one step closer to becoming a MP.

Millen's interest and research into police authorities has led him into a number of advisory roles on the implementation of social policy and encouraged his aspiration to be a politician.

"There is a huge gap in social research needed to be geared towards how police work, represent and participate in communities especially Black and minority ethnic communities" says Millen.

Millen, 38, works in the Department for Work and Pensions as a programme director for the Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG). A group organised to encourage and develop voluntary and community organisations in BME areas.

He is currently reading a PhD in Political Science, at Loughborough University, researching the relationships between police authorities, citizens and police forces.

As part of his many responsibilities he is on the board of the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) for Safer Communities Initiative, council board member for the charity Sense and he sits as an advisory member for the Hansard Society which raises awareness of political participation in parliament.

The married father-of-three has been living in Bexley, Kent, for seven years but was born and raised in Wolverhampton.

As the son of Jamaican parents, owners of the UK soft drink manufacturing company Top Pops, he reveals that they were in part influential in his desire to follow a career into politics.

Millen, a trained saxophonist adds: "They were the biggest catalyst - they believed in me when I didn't. The things my father has done in setting up his own manufacturing business as well as being involved in community issues has been a huge influence."

Some of Millen's previous roles include being the former Chief Executive for ROTA, a social policy think tank on education, crime and health; and the former advisor for the Metropolitan Police Authority on detention and custody.

At present he is shadowing the former Home Secretary, Charles Clarke MP, on the OBV/Electoral Commission MP Shadowing Scheme whom he meets with regularly.

"He is very down to earth, very professional and helpful. He advised me on a proposal I sent and he gave me excellent feedback" says Millen of his shadowing mentor.

"When I go to see him I have a planned agenda, I have a clear outline of what I'm looking for, I take that to him and we work on it together."

With the support of Mr Clarke, Millen is forming the Ocean Foundation a venture to provide advice and research into police authorities, communities and the government's work with voluntary organisations.

In the community he believes that positive changes have emerged as more Black and minority ethnics enter the political arena. "I'm meeting people everyday who are involved or have an interest in politics" he says.

He said it would bring him "great joy" if he got a seat in Wolverhampton and to represent the constituent on issues that have a significant impact in our communities such as education, employment and healthcare, which he says should be represented effectively.

Millen looks forward to many things, the day when he may get selected to be a Member of Parliament; to see the Ocean Foundation recognised for leading policing issues; and to be seen as an example for those who have ambitions and want to achieve.

And his tip for other aspiring politicians, "Try to meet all the right people but most importantly leave your mark, not by saying just anything, but by saying the right things."