John was born in Bath in 1974 and was brought up into a small family horticultural business, still managed by his father, in rural North Wiltshire. His mother and uncle were born in Salisbury and his grandfather and great-grandfather lived and worked in the City during The Blitz.
John attended King Edward's School, Bath where he was Head Boy. He then won a place at Oxford University where he read Modern History and was elected President of his College Student Union. John was the first person in his family to go to university and appreciates the opportunities an excellent education has given him.
John is married to Emma and he has two step children William (10) and Emily (8). John enjoys watching William play rugby and taking Emily to her swimming lessons. Free time is spent at the gym or with friends from his local church where his family are active members.
John's Experience
After campaigning in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland for Michael (now Lord) Bates in the 1997 General Election John joined the Strategy practice of a large management consultancy firm. He worked on projects at Glaxo Wellcome, BP and the Post Office.
After three years in consulting John worked for an 8 month spell for William Hague MP's team (then Leader of the Conservative Party). John helped prepare William for Prime Minister's Question Time and briefed the Shadow Cabinet for media appearances in his role as Head of the Political Section of the Conservative Research Department.
Following this secondment and standing for Parliament himself, as one of the youngest candidates, in Plymouth Devonport at the 2001 General Election John wanted to gain further experience outside politics. He took an MBA at Cambridge University and worked in the oil and gas industries in the UK and in the US for the next few years.
In early 2004 John was headhunted to return to the Conservative Party to work as Deputy Director of the Conservative Research Department looking after the day to day management of twenty researchers in the run up to the 2005 General Election. He then became Director of the Department and set up the secretariat for the Policy Review that was established after David Cameron became Leader. John was appointed to the Board of the Centre for Policy Studies by Lord Saatchi in 2009 and retains an active interest in policy development.
John returned to business in 2006, working in a new role, managing his firm's relationship with the World Economic Forum.
John became a Magistrate (JP) at Horseferry Road, Westminster in 2006 and has a great interest in issues impacting young people. He has worked as a mentor to students at City University; he has been a Trustee of a National Youth Charity and a Governor of an inner city comprehensive school.
