Claire Smith's family has lived in the Gosport and Fareham area for several generations. She grew up in Fareham and her first job was in Gosport where she has lived for the past few years. She has seen excessive building destroy the area's character and co-founded South Hants' Unheard Voices (SHUV) to challenge this development strategy.

Within her neighbourhood, she has organized several beach cleans and has stood for the local council, missing by just 12 votes in 2006.

Claire began her working life as a journalist and has written several books, mainly on environmental issues. She currently works for an organization that focuses on the business response to climate change.