Ken Foster

Career

Foster attended Sutton High School in Plymouth. He later worked in HMNB Devonport for 35 years as a weapons technical officer. He retired early to set up an electrical business.

In 1995 he was elected a councillor for Plymstock Radford on Devon County Council. In 1997, when Plymouth became a unitary authority from Devon, he became a Plymouth City Councillor for the ward of Plymstock Radford. During his time he has served as a spokesperson on planning and housing & waste; chair of the Plymstock Area Committee and sustainable communities overview; vice-chair of resources and performance overview; and scrutiny panel for 2008-09. In May 2009 he became the Lord Mayor of the City of Plymouth and held a public parade on 30 May. During the parade, the Band of the Royal Marines were playing and people lined the streets to also welcome them home from the current war in Afghanistan. The ceremony was presided over by the Recorder of Plymouth, Judge William Taylor.

Personal life

He has been married to Lady Mayoress Wendy Foster for 27 years. They were both Conservative councillors for Plymstock Radford. He met Wendy on Plymouth Cruse Bereavement Care. He served there for 27 years and is still a member of the executive committee. He has four stepchildren and six stepgrandchildren. Foster enjoys music and theatre and plays some musical instruments. He is a season-ticket holder for local football club Plymouth Argyle.