Jake took part in the Academy of Ideas’ Debating Matters Competition in 2009, competing as part of the Guiseley School team, and was awarded the highly commended prize at the National Finals. He holds a degree in History from Newcastle University where he wrote extensively for the Courier student newspaper until his views were eventually censored. Since leaving University, Jake has worked as a Business Analyst for Santander UK for two years, and now has a legal Training Contract with Bond Dickinson. He has produced several sessions at the Battle of Ideas Festival including ‘Church and State – A Marriage on the Rocks?’, ‘Should we have Votes for Prisoners?’, and ‘Twitter vs Freedom of Speech’. He is the convenor of the Debating Matters Ambassadors, a formal affiliation of enthusiastic supporters of the Debating Competition which aims to enable the Competition to benefit from their experience, passion and continuing support.