Cllr Lawrence was formally a Community Development Advisor for Sandwell Council between 1990 to 2004, in addition to this he has worked as a research in a local authority, a national voluntary organisation and in academia, as well as an Urban Policy Adviser.
He was first elected in 1983 and he represents the St. Peter's ward and is the Leader of Wolverhampton Council. In addition to this he is Chair of the West Midlands Joint Committee, where he was a leading player in the formation of the West Midlands Combined Authority.