Member of Parliament for Epsom & Ewell
Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Born in 1962, Chris grew up in Buckinghamshire, though his parents moved to Cheshire when he was 19, and he has extensive family links in the North West. He was educated at the Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe before going to Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, to read history. After university, he joined the BBC's News Training Scheme, and worked as a producer on BBC News and Channel Four's programme Business Daily.

After a few years in television production, he decided to move to the business side of the media industry, and worked for a number of small and medium-sized production businesses before moving to the Employee Change Communication practice at international communications firm Burson Marsteller. He ended his time there as European Marketing Director.

Chris has been married to Sue since 1987, and they have one daughter and one son. Chris has written several books, including a history of the Bridgwater Canal, Anglo-American relations, and life in England after the First World War. For relaxation he enjoys time with his family and watching Manchester United.

Chris has been MP for Epsom and Ewell since 2001. He is currently the Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

He has previously served as Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, as Shadow Minister for Health, as Shadow Minister for Higher and Further Education and as an Opposition Whip. He has also served as a member of the influential House of Commons Transport Select Committee.

Before his election he was a local councillor in the London Borough of Merton

Source: www.conservatives.com
Added: March 08