Andrew Lewer grew up in and around Ashbourne, Derbyshire. He was first elected to Derbyshire County Council in 2005; became Leader of the Opposition in 2007 and Leader of Derbyshire County Council in 2009 - the youngest County Council Leader in the country.

He has a particular interest in the arts and heritage. In addition to the County Leadership, he is a Derbyshire Dales District Councillor (since 2003), Chairman of the UNESCO Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, Deputy Chairman of Visit Peak District and Derbyshire, a Board Member of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, a Governor of Derby University and Chairman of Culture Derbyshire.

He is Deputy Chairman and Deputy Leader of the Conservatives at the LGA and also serves as Deputy Chairman of the CTS Board.