Oliver Dowden

Oliver James Dowden, CBE (born 1 August 1978[1]) is a British politician who, since February 2020, serves as HM Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

The Right Honourable

Oliver Dowden

CBE MP
Dowden in 2020
Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Assumed office
13 February 2020
Prime MinisterBoris Johnson
Preceded byThe Baroness Morgan of Cotes
Minister for the Cabinet Office
In office
24 July 2019 – 13 February 2020
Prime MinisterBoris Johnson
Preceded byDavid Lidington
Succeeded byMichael Gove
Paymaster General
In office
24 July 2019 – 13 February 2020
Prime MinisterBoris Johnson
Preceded byJesse Norman
Succeeded byPenny Mordaunt
Private Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office
In office
8 January 2018 – 24 July 2019
Prime MinisterTheresa May
Preceded byCaroline Nokes
Succeeded byJohnny Mercer
Member of Parliament
for Hertsmere
Assumed office
7 May 2015
Preceded byJames Clappison
Majority21,313 (40.8%)
Personal details
Born (1978-08-01) 1 August 1978
Park Street, Hertfordshire, England
Political partyConservative
Spouse(s)Blythe Dowden
Children2
Alma materTrinity Hall, Cambridge
ProfessionPolitician

Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General 2019–20 and a member of the Conservative Party, Dowden has been returned as Member of Parliament (MP) for Hertsmere in Hertfordshire since 2015.[2][3]

Early life and education

Dowden grew up in Bricket Wood, Hertfordshire, being educated at Parmiter's School, a state comprehensive school in Garston, Watford. He attests to having received an "excellent state education",[4] before going up to Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he read Law.[5]

Career

Dowden joined the Conservative Research Department in 2004, moving to PR company Hill & Knowlton in 2007, before returning to the Conservative Party in 2009.[6]

He then worked as a special adviser, and David Cameron's deputy chief of staff,[5] where he said most of his time was spent on "day-to-day crisis management".[7] Dowden was regarded as having expertise in the attacking form of political communications, leading to comparisons with Alastair Campbell.[6]

When standing as MP for Hertsmere, among the policy priorities Dowden highlighted in his campaign were improving transport infrastructure, preserving green belt land and improving education.[8] Dowden opposed Brexit prior to the 2016 referendum.[9]

In January 2018, Dowden was promoted to Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office, as part of Theresa May's cabinet reshuffle.[10]

Appointed Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General by incoming Prime Minister Boris Johnson on 24 July 2019 in succession to Dr Jesse Norman, Dowden was sworn of the Privy Council the next day.[11]

Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

On 13 February 2020, Dowden was appointed Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, succeeding Baroness Morgan of Cotes, who resigned from HM Cabinet.[12]

Honours

He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2015 Dissolution Honours List on 27 August 2015.[13]

Personal life

Dowden is married and has two children.[4][5]

References
  1. Watson, Chris; Fawcett, Mark (13 March 2018). "Members of the House of Commons since 1979" (PDF). House of Commons Library. p. 62. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  2. "No. 61230". The London Gazette. 18 May 2015. p. 9122.
  3. "Hertsmere parliamentary constituency – Election 2015". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  4. "About Oliver Dowden". Oliverdowden.com. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  5. Oliphant, Victoria (8 October 2014). "'This is like coming home' – Oliver Dowden announced as Conservative candidate for Hertsmere". Borehamwood Times. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  6. Merrick, Jane (14 October 2012). "'Olive' in charge after No 10 shake-up". The Independent. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  7. Oct 2012, 7:03AM BST 22 (22 October 2012). "David Cameron's special adviser in US television gaffe". www.telegraph.co.uk.
  8. "Meet the MPs: Profiling the Conservative 2015 intake | Dehavilland". www1.dehavilland.co.uk.
  9. Goodenough, Tom (16 February 2016). "Which Tory MPs back Brexit, who doesn't and who is still on the fence?". The Spectator. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  10. Flanagan, Chris. "Potters Bar's MP 'delighted' after scooping promotion". Welwyn Hatfield Times.
  11. "ORDERS APPROVED AND BUSINESS TRANSACTED AT THE PRIVY COUNCIL HELD BY THE QUEEN AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE ON 25TH JULY 2019" (PDF). Privy Council Office. 2019.
  12. "The Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP". GOV.UK.
  13. Prime Minister's Office (27 August 2015). "Press release Dissolution Honours 2015". Gov.uk. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
James Clappison		 Member of Parliament
for Hertsmere
2015–present		 Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
Caroline Nokes		 Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office
2018–2019		 Succeeded by
Johnny Mercer
Preceded by
David Lidington		 Minister for the Cabinet Office
2019–2020		 Succeeded by
Michael Gove
Preceded by
Jesse Norman		 Paymaster General
2019–2020		 Succeeded by
Penny Mordaunt
Preceded by
The Baroness Morgan of Cotes		 Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
2020–present		 Incumbent
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