BIOGRAPHY 2008

Mark was elected as the MP for the Cities of London and Westminster constituency in 2001, and was re-elected with an increased majority in 2005.

He takes a special interest in economic matters, foreign trade and international development, and is currently Secretary of the All-Party Venture Capital and Private Equity Group.

For more information about Mark, click on the links below

Early Years

Mark was born in October 1964 in the British Military Hospital in Hannover, Germany. His late father, Peter, was serving in the British Army at the time. His mother, Ulrike, hails from the part of Germany which is now in Poland.

Mark grew up with his brother, Dominic, and his sister, Antonia, and was educated in the state sector at Reading School. He later took a degree in law at St Edmund Hall, Oxford in 1987.

Career

After leaving university, Mark went on to practise as a solicitor with leading international law firm, Freshfields. In the mid 1990s he set up a successful publishing and recruitment business in the City, building the company up to have a staff of twelve by 2001. Following his election as MP for the Cities of London and Westminster, he divested himself of his business interests to a consortium led by his former business partner.

Previous Political Experience

Mark was an elected councillor in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (1994-2002) and stood as the Conservative candidate in Enfield North in 1997. Prior to his involvement in Kensington & Chelsea, Mark lived in Islington North where he spent two years (1989-91) as Deputy Chairman of the local Conservatives.

Previous Parliamentary Experience

Mark was initially promoted to the Conservative Party frontbench in June 2003 and served as an Opposition Whip until March 2004.

In November 2003 he was appointed Shadow Minister for London, where his role included liaising with Greater London Assembly Conservative members and parliamentary candidates in the Capital where Conservatives achieved the largest regional swing and secured eight MPs in seats previously held by Labour.

Between May and December 2005 Mark was the Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury. During a busy time in that position he served in the Finance Act (No. 2) 2005 and as the main Opposition spokesman on the Floor of the House and in committee on the Registration of Financial Services (Land Transactions) Bill 2005 and National Insurance Contributions Bill 2005.

In the eleven months to November 2006 Mark was the Shadow Minister for Culture and the Arts. During his tenure he led for the Opposition on the National Lottery Act 2006 and promoted the policy of safeguarding lottery funds for the four original causes of the arts, heritage, charities and sport. He also led debates and strong opposition to the lack of leadership and vision in Britain's declining public library service. His other responsibilities included the Arts, Heritage, Architecture and Design, Museums and Galleries, the Royal Parks, Regional Policy and Local Government as well as aspects of broadcasting.

Campaigns

Throughout his time in Parliament Mark has initiated debates on key local issues - Metropolitan Police Resourcing; Future of St Bartholomew's Hospital; Recycling Household Waste; Congestion Charging; Commercialisation of Hyde Park and Implementation of the Licensing Act 2003.

He has regularly contributed to debates on issues affecting the Capital, including London's role in the UK economy, the London Underground, Crossrail, the London Olympics bid, ID cards, gun crime, and various environmental and quality of life issues.

He has been regularly involved with the battle to secure the future development of both Bart's hospital and St Mary's, Paddington (the two local hospitals) and is a champion for leaseholder rights over the proposed changes in the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill.

Interests

Mark's interests outside his political activities are local London history, buying pictures, walking and pop/rock music. He is also a lifelong sports fan. His first love is cricket and he occasionally plays for the Lords and Commons team. Mark also follows soccer avidly, especially Bury, the team he has supported since he was a young boy.

He currently lives in Westminster with his wife, Vicki, a celebrity agent, and their son, Frederick, who was born in December 2007.