Simon Hamilton

Simon Hamilton
MLA
Minister for the Economy
In office
25 May 2016 – 26 January 2017
Preceded by Jonathan Bell
Succeeded by Vacant
Member of the Legislative Assembly
for Strangford
Assumed office
7 March 2007
Preceded by George Ennis
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
In office
11 May 2015 – 6 May 2016
Preceded by Jim Wells
Succeeded by Michelle O'Neill
Minister of Finance and Personnel
In office
29 July 2013 – 11 May 2015
Preceded by Sammy Wilson
Succeeded by Arlene Foster
Personal details
Born (1977-03-17) 17 March 1977
Newtownards, Northern Ireland
Nationality Northern Irish/ British
Political party Democratic Unionist Party
Spouse(s) Nicki
Children Lewis
Kyle
Residence Comber, Northern Ireland
Alma mater Queen's University Belfast
Website Official website

Simon Hamilton MLA (born 17 March 1977) is a Democratic Unionist Party politician in Northern Ireland, who served as the Economy Minister in the Northern Ireland Executive from 2016 until its collapse in January 2017.[1][2] He was first elected in 2007 to the Northern Ireland Assembly as a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) member for Strangford.[3]

Education

Hamilton was educated at Regent House School and Queen's University, Belfast holding degrees in history/politics and law.[3] He served as Chairman of the Queen's Unionist Association and as a member of Queen's University Senate.

Career

Hamilton began his career as an auditor with an accountancy firm in Belfast[3] and was employed as a DUP Policy Officer in their Party Headquarters from 2003 until his election to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2007.[4] He was elected to Ards Borough Council in 2005 but did not stand at the 2011 Election. Hamilton is secretary of Strangford DUP Association and vice-chairman of Newtownards DUP Branch.

He was appointed minister of finance and personnel and replaced Sammy Wilson on 29 June 2013 in a reshuffle.[4][5]

He was later appointed as the Health Minister of Northern Ireland in a further DUP reshuffle on 11 May 2015.[6] He resigned from this post several times during September and October 2015 in the context of a political crisis at Stormont.[1][7]

Personal life

Hamilton lives in Comber with his wife Nicki and two sons Lewis and Kyle.

References

    1. 1 2 "Mr Simon Hamilton". Northern Ireland Assembly. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
    2. ↑ "Simon Hamilton resigns four times in past three weeks". BBC News. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
    3. 1 2 3 "Hamilton appointed as Northern Ireland's Minister for Finance". Irish Times. 30 July 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
    4. 1 2 "Simon Hamilton appointed new finance minister". BBC News. 29 July 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
    5. ↑ "DUP reshuffle: Foster, Bell and Hamilton in new jobs". BBC News. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
    6. ↑ "DUP reshuffle: Foster, Bell and Hamilton in new jobs". BBC News. 11 May 2015.
    7. ↑ "Simon Hamilton resigns four times in past three weeks". BBC News. 2 October 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
    Northern Ireland Assembly
    Preceded by
    George Ennis    		 MLA for Strangford
    2007–present    		 Incumbent
    Political offices
    Preceded by
    Sammy Wilson    		 Minister of Finance and Personnel
    2013–2015    		 Succeeded by
    Arlene Foster
    Preceded by
    Jim Wells    		 Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
    2015 – 2016    		 Succeeded by
    Michelle O'Neill
    as Minister of Health
    Preceded by
    Jonathan Bell    		 Minister for the Economy
    2016 – 2017    		 Vacant
    Office suspended


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