Meet George: our Leader and Councillor for Rainham North
Councillor George Perfect was born in Medway Hospital, and comes from a family that have lived in Medway for generations. George grew up in Gillingham and Rainham. George graduated from the University of Westminster with a first-class degree in Politics, and whilst at university, worked part time in business development for an insurance intermediary.
Aged just 13, George got into youth politics, serving as a member of the Medway Youth Council, before becoming its chairman. During this time, he served on the Medway Council Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee, alongside local councillors, holding the administration of the time to account for its delivery for children and young people. Whilst Youth Council Chair, George worked with other youth councils nationally, and appeared frequently in the national press, talking about Medway and the power of youth involvement in politics. George also worked to establish the Medway Youth Awards, the now annual event celebrating the achievements of over 200 children and young people every year.
Passionate about education, and giving back to our community, George became a Community Governor of Fort Pitt Grammar School in 2018, before becoming the school’s vice chairman a year later. In March 2020, at the onset of the pandemic, he became the youngest Chair of Governors in the history of the English school system, of Balfour Junior School. Serving as Chair of Governors, he worked with the governing body and Headteacher in steering the school through the pandemic, and through the recovery. His leadership was commended through a National Governors Association peer review as exemplary. Following George’s election as a councillor, he stood down as Chair of Governors, but continues to serve as a Member of the Inspire Partnership Academy Trust and Beyond Schools Trust (which operates both Fort Pitt and Balfour). He continues to support both Trusts in providing good and outstanding education for thousands of young people across the Medway towns and beyond.
First elected in May 2023 as a Member for Rainham North ward, George won a seat (that was considered marginal), despite the national headwinds. Following his election, George became the opposition spokesperson for children and young people, as well as supporting the then Group Leader with communications and external affairs. He was elected Deputy Group Leader in March 2023, and then was elected as Leader of Medway Conservatives, unanimously, by the group, in May 2024. George was appointed by the LGA Conservative Group as a Substitute Member, Children and Young People Board at the Local Government Association in September 2024.
In his professional life, he is a public affairs account director, as well as his role serving on the Council.
