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Meet The Rt Hon Gavin Williamson MP
Gavin was born in Scarborough on June 25th, 1976. He attended Raincliffe Comprehensive School and Scarborough Sixth Form College before earning a Bachelor of Science from the University of Bradford.
Following his studies, Gavin embarked on a career in manufacturing, where he demonstrated his ability to revitalise struggling businesses. He successfully led the turnaround of a pottery company in Staffordshire before assuming the role of Managing Director at an architectural design firm. In this capacity, Gavin oversaw projects encompassing schools, public sector buildings, and commercial developments.
Gavin has been deeply involved in the voluntary sector outside of his professional endeavours. He has served as a Charitable Trustee at his local Citizen’s Advice Bureau and as a school governor, demonstrating his commitment to serving his community.
Political Experience
Gavin’s political journey began in 2001 when he was elected as a County Councillor. He focused on community issues and advocated for education reform during his tenure. Gavin later ran for the parliamentary seat of Blackpool North and Fleetwood in Lancashire. Subsequently, he assumed leadership roles within the Conservative Party, serving as Deputy Chairman of Staffordshire Area Conservatives, Chairman of Stoke on Trent Conservative Association, and Vice Chairman of Derbyshire Dales Conservative Association.
In 2010, Gavin was elected as the Member of Parliament for South Staffordshire. Since then, he has been actively involved in parliamentary committees and cross-party groups, notably championing causes related to Northern Ireland affairs, motor neurone disease, and design.
Gavin’s parliamentary career saw him take on various roles within the government, including Parliamentary Private Secretary to several ministers and, ultimately, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister. His dedication and contributions were recognised when he was appointed as a Privy Counsellor by Her Majesty the Queen in 2015.
In 2016, Gavin was appointed Chief Whip (Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury) by Prime Minister Theresa May, followed by his appointment as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in David Cameron’s Resignation Honours.
Gavin’s leadership continued to flourish when he became Secretary of State for Defence in 2017, where he prioritised British naval presence in the Indo-Pacific region and bolstered the UK’s commitment to NATO.
In 2019, Gavin assumed the role of Secretary of State for Education, where he championed skills-based education and navigated England’s schools through the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Awards
In 2022, Gavin was knighted for his distinguished Political Service, reflecting his outstanding public life and governance contributions.
More information can be found on his website: https://www.gavinwilliamson.org/