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Profile.

A dynamic and strategic leader with over four years of experience as a Member of Parliament, complemented by a background in regulatory affairs within the financial sector. I am adept at navigating complex regulatory landscapes and have a proven track record of driving significant community and economic development, having secured over £100 million in investments for Burnley. My tenure as MP saw me transform constituent engagement, enhancing accessibility and visibility, and managing over 24,000 issues with exceptional responsiveness. My regulatory expertise, honed at a major bank, includes managing high-stakes regulatory relationships and leading on innovative projects like a digital banking platform. I possess a deep understanding of UK-EU trade dynamics, national security investments, and industrial strategies, making me uniquely qualified to bridge policy with practical outcomes. Passionate about leveraging my skills in communication, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement to foster growth and innovation in any role.

Functional Skills.

  • Comprehensive understanding of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement following membership of the Future Relationship with the European Union Select Committee.

  • Strong partnership working, as evidenced by the collaborative relationship between the UK’s National Audit Office and House of Commons Public Accounts Committee.

  • Ability to understand significant amounts of data, on a variety of issues, and respond in quick time, forming judgements and follow-up actions.

  • Able to take complex Government strategy documents and policy papers, and identify real world implications and challenges to be worked through.

  • Good knowledge of industrial strategies across multiple jurisdictions, and the way these could influence investment decisions.

  • Able to read, understand and summarise free trade agreements and memorandums of understanding, as well as knowledge of the relevant Government agencies responsible for implementation.

  • Strong knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing the UK’s manufacturing sector.

  • Good understanding of the National Security Investments Act, and the way businesses must comply, when undertaking potentially sensitive investment decisions.

  • Able to lead on difficult discussions with regulatory bodies on issues of significant reputational consequence.

  • Good understanding of technological developments, demonstrated by APPG roles in areas relating to blockchain cryptocurrency & digital assets; and by role supporting neo-bank authorisations.

  • Excellent communicator able to design, deliver and refine messages for a variety of audiences.

  • Experienced in operating at the most senior levels, including holding senior executives to account and / or pushing back on regulatory requests that are unrealistic.

Education

2013 - 2014

City University, London

Graduate Diploma in Law (Pass)

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Attended the prestigious City University, London, to undertake the GDL 'law conversion' course.

2008 - 2012

University of Hull

BA (Hons) British Politics and Legislative Studies (Second Class, Upper Division)

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The pre-eminent politics degree, led by a sitting member of the House of Lords and professor, included a full year internship in the House of Commons.

Professional Experience

2019 - 2024

Member of Parliament for Burnley, House of Commons​

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  • Elected as the Member of Parliament for Burnley in December 2019, becoming the first Conservative MP for the area for 109 years.

  • Developed an office structure and strategy to deliver on my priority of being the most accessible, visible and proactive MP in Burnley’s history. I then recruited a team of six professionals across two locations, including roles responsible for community engagement, communications, administration and policy research.

  • Handled and resolved over twenty-four thousand constituent issues, with an initial response time of under 36 hours.

  • Created an engaging communications model which spanned legacy and social media. This included daily press releases and social media posts, weekly newspaper columns and email newsletters, regular live streams, and in-house leaflet design. As a result, online reach and engagement increased dramatically, from zero in 2019 to over half a million in the 2024 General Election.

  • Negotiated with the Government, the local authority, businesses and community groups to draw in c.£100 million of investment, from both the public and private sectors. This saw regeneration across the constituency, as well as investment in further and higher education.

  • Recognised central source of information for residents during the Covid-19 pandemic, demonstrating an ability to communicate clearly and effectively during crisis situations.

  • Liaised across Government departments, and with other Members of Parliament, to bring to light a national issue regarding cavity wall insulation and ensure a cross-cutting response could be developed.

  • Regularly Chaired and spoke at events in Westminster and the constituency, focusing on the aerospace and defence sectors, technology, and trade.

  • Engaged with diverse businesses of various sizes to discuss public policy impacts and assist with problems and issues that hindered growth and expansion.

  • Devised and put in place new ways of engaging people in the political process, including organised coach trips from the constituency to the Houses of Parliament, and a series of mock parliaments in primary and secondary schools.

2023

Parliamentary Private Secretary, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs​

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  • Engaged across Parliament, with opposition and Government MPs, to ensure the Department and Ministerial team were abreast of views on major policy issues.

  • Coordinated departmental questions in the House of Commons to ensure Ministers were prepared.

  • Briefed Ministers on potential issues ahead of speeches and questions in Parliament.

2022

Vice Chairman, Conservative Party​

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  • Appointed by the Conservative Party Chair to support candidates and campaigners across the country at every level of politics.

2015 - 2019

Regulatory Affairs Manager, NatWest Group (formerly RBS Group)​

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  • Advised the group’s executive, board and wider leadership on conduct and prudential regulatory policy.

  • Managed relationships on behalf of the group with the UK’s financial regulators (Financial Conduct Authority, Prudential Regulation Authority, Bank of England, and Payment Systems Regulator), and overseas regulators as necessary.

  • Oversaw the group’s regulatory authorisations,  including new authorisation applications for additional business activity.

  • Provided support and guidance to the business during regulator reviews, onsite visits, investigations and early-stage enforcement action (pre-litigation).

  • Communicated strategic priorities and challenges to regulatory bodies in the UK, working in partnership with colleagues across the bank including Media and Public Affairs.

  • Supported the development of a new ‘digital-only’ banking platform, utilising AI and big data analytics, leading on regulator engagement and opportunities for sandboxing.

2015

Senior Associate (Regulation), The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (part of MUFG)​

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  • Tracked and analysed regulatory developments across the EMEA region which could impact the business or wider group.

  • Implemented regulatory change projects relating to the Senior Managers & Certification Regime.

2014 - 2015

Analyst, Association of Foreign Banks​

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  • Analysed regulatory policy changes in the UK that could impact the banking sector.

  • Led engagement with association members on issues relating to regulatory policy.

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