James is a currently an engineer and group leader at Rolls-Royce. He went to school in West Bridgford in Nottingham before studying at Birmingham University, graduating in 2001 with a degree in Physics with Astrophysics. He has gone on to use his degree, working in scientific software and analysis; initially working for a consulting firm in Oxfordshire. It was whilst living and working in Oxfordshire that he joined the Liberal Democrats. In 2006, he returned to the East Midlands to work at Rolls-Royce.

During a successful career at Rolls-Royce he has worked primarily in analysis and design, solving complex problems, and after being promoted to a first line people leader, coaching, supervising and mentoring other members of staff, whilst coordinating and delivering projects of significant size and difficulty. He is confident presenting on any complexity of topic from simple managerial techniques to complex technical papers.

He has been a union Health and Safety rep and through this, he developed an interest in the Law culminating in the achievement of a masters in law at the Open University, whilst still working full-time. This reflects a passion for learning and education and reflects his commitment to the Liberal Democrats policy to give every adult the opportunity to upskill with a lifelong learning account. His law masters covered topics such Business and Human Rights Law, International Law, and Criminal Psychology. James chose the area of Hate Crime and Equality Legislation for his dissertation, particularly concentrating on alternative subcultures, which as a self-identifying punk was close to his heart.

James' punk appearance reflects his taste in music as much as it does his belief that people should be allowed to express themselves in their appearance and not be disadvantaged for identifying with a subculture. Indeed his interest in politics and love of political punk have shaped his life, he met his partner Lizzy at a punk gig in 2010 the day before taking part in a climate change march.

His commitment to fighting climate change has extended into his dietary choices and he has been a vegan since 2007. He has also fitted solar panels and moved from gas heating to a heat pump at his home, in Long Eaton, and drives an electric car. Perhaps unsurprising then that he is also a member of the Green Liberal Democrats.

He can be found walking with Lizzy and their two border collie dogs in the parks and green spaces of Erewash or along the canal or riverside path most evenings.

Felix was born in Allestree to a Rolls Royce family. His father Derek Dodds helped Rolls Royce set-up and manage projects in Derby, Thurso, Belfast and London. After graduating from Kings Langley Comprehensive School Felix studied Physics at the University of Surrey and is now a visiting Adjunct Professor at the Water Institute at the University of North Carolina.

After University he took a year off for his honeymoon ending up teaching mathematics and science at the International School in Khartoum (Sudan) before teaching at Harlington Community School in London for seven years.

During his spare time, he held posts in the Liberal Democrat party including chair of their youth wing, helping lead environmental campaigns combating acid rain and eliminating CFCs to protect the ozone layer.

In 1988, he edited his first book Into the 'Twenty-First Century: An Agenda for Political Realignment'. The book included chapters from members of the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green parties as well unaffiliated members to look at how people should work across political boundaries on environmental issues.

Felix went on tobe a thought leader in the area of sustainable development for over 25 years. In 2011 he was listed as one of 25 environmentalists ahead of their time.

As Executive Director of Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future (1992-2012), his work elicited praise from leaders such as former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore who said Felix's "work will serve as a model for others throughout the world," and from Geoffrey Lean at the Independent on Sunday who praised Felix's organization as "the source of many of the most hopeful initiatives at the [UN World] summit."

In 2007 he set up the climate and water coalition to advocate successfully for the issue to be taken up at the international climate change negotiations. In 2009 he edited the book 'Climate Change and Energy Insecurity' to highlight the link between climate and security agenda. This was one of four books he has edited on human and environmental security.

In 2011 he chaired the United Nations Conference Sustainable Societies: Responsive Citizens which put forward the first set of Sustainable Development Goals. He has been an advisor at international meetings for the European Union and the governments of the UK and Denmark, and continues to advise governments in the lead up to the critical climate conference hosted by the UK in 2020.

Since 2012, he has been an advisor to a number of organizations including the Ford Foundation and their grantees during the Sustainable Development Goals negotiations and UK organizations such as AVIVA, Article 19, World Animal Protection and Donkey Sanctuary.

Felix has edited or written 18 books and many papers and articles on sustainable development. The latest 'Stakeholder Democracy: Represented Democracy in a Time of Fear' was launched in July at the United Nations.

He writes an occasional blog on sustainable development which has in September reached over one million views.

E01 Breadsall and West Hallam

E02 Breaston

E03 Ilkeston East

E04 Ilkeston South

E05 Ilkeston West

E06 Long Eaton

E07 Petersham

E08 Sandiacre

E09 Sawley