Rt Hon. Julian Smith

Since joining parliament, he has focused on rural issues, education, business and international development concerns. He has campaigned hard for a fairer funding formula for rural schools and for improvements in the way the Trans-Pennine route is configured. He has also been closely involved in bringing the Tour de France Grand Depart to the UK.

In May 2015 Julian joined the Government as a Minister in the Whips’ Office and in July 2016 he was promoted to the position of Government Whip and Vice Chamberlain of HM Household. Following the 2017 General Election, he was appointed by the Prime Minister as Government Deputy Chief Whip. Between November 2017 and July 2019 he was appointed Government Chief Whip by then Prime Minister Theresa May. From 24th July 2019 until 13th February 2020 Julian was the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Prior to becoming an MP, he had a successful career as an entrepreneur. In 1999, he set up Arq International, a leader in its field of executive recruiting, based in London and Singapore and working across Europe, Asia and the United States.

He grew up in Stirling in Scotland, and he read History and English at the University of Birmingham. He was previously educated at a local comprehensive and he received a sixth form bursary to Millfield School, Somerset.

You can find more about Julian on his website, here.