Local Profile: Dean Kavanagh

60 Seconds with Switch Radio Manager

Malaka Chowdhury | Sunday 8th May 2022 11:58am

It's official. The four Castle Vale candidates campaigned hard to secure the local vote in this week's local elections, but it was the CEO of Spitfire Services, Ray Goodwin who was elected as Castle Vale's new Labour councillor. He won with a huge 233 lead over the Conservative candidate, Tyrese Romain, and just 44 votes more than the Green Party candidate, John Macefield. 

Mr Goodwin said he was 'blown away,' and that it was Jack Dromey's wish that he stand (recently deceased Erdington MP), saying, "...So in my mind, I did it for Jack. And Jack I won it for you as well." 

Switch Radio has worked in collaboration with the Public Interest News Foundation since January to improve resident engagement with local politics. We hope you have found our dedicated local articles both informative and engaging, and you will continue reading our articles.

The project concludes with our final profile with the Switch Radio manager, Dean Kavanagh who took time out to discuss his life, loves and politics. 

What is your full name and age?            

Dean Kavanagh, age 38.

Where did you grow up, and who was your biggest influence? 

I grew up in Kingsurst. My parents were my biggest influence; they taught me the importance of working hard, but also giving back where you can. 

Why do you think people should vote in local elections? 

You might think that local elections don’t matter, but they really do. The councillors you vote for in these elections are the ones that will help you get action on the issues that matter to you locally; whether that’s antisocial behaviour in a park, or the problems with council services. It’s important that your voice gets heard.

How can young people make an impact?
I think it’s really important for young people to get involved in politics as their voices should be heard. That’s not to say that councillors/policitians don’t listen to the views of young people, but I think local councils would be better served if their body was made up of a broad cross section of the population. More youth involvement would help drive that.

What local issue are you passionate about and why? 
I’m passionate about people in the local area achieving the best they can, without falling into the trap of assuming that because they’re from a struggling area, they shouldn’t have aspirations. That was something that was a big issue in Kingshurst growing up, and while we’ve moved on leaps and bounds since then, we need to work to get rid of that stigma completely.

Did you learn anything profound during lockdown?
I learnt two things; firstly, regardless of all of the bad news you might see on the TV, read on social media, or hear in the news, when people come together you realise quite how amazing our local community spirit is. People are good! Secondly, I learnt that making pizza dough from scratch isn’t as easy as people make it look on social media.

Do you have a favourite song that cheers you up?
I’m a child of the 80s, and it’s a bit weird, but Starship’s “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” always makes me smile.

What is your ideal holiday destination
My wife and kids like hot places, so probably somewhere like Egypt!

If you were Prime Minister, what main change would you make? 
I would provide more financial support for Community Radio, of course!

What is your proudest achievement? 
When we took over Switch Radio in 2013, most people (well, almost everybody actually) told us that we’d be finished within 12 months. It’s now 2022, and we’re going from strength to strength. Of course, it’s not just my work, but I’m proud to have been a part of it.                                                                                                                                                                                        

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