Read Philosophy, Reading University. Worked as an aid worker in post-revolutionary Romania before and during university. Formerly: Director of Communications, Kensington & Chelsea Council and the Freight Transport Association; Director, Diabetes UK, the Community Fund and the Big Lottery Fund; worked for Conservative Central Office, becoming Head of Broadcasting under William Hague. 2000, Head of Foreign Press for George W. Bush’s presidential election campaign. 2004, founded a media company, sold in 2010. 2010, elected Conservative Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North. In Parliament, served on the European Scrutiny Committee, Defence Select Committee, and as chairman of the APPGs for Life Science and for Ageing and Older People. 2013, appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Defence. 2015-16, Minister of State for the Armed Forces. 2016-17, Minister of State for Department for Work and Pensions. Since November 2017, Secretary of State for International Development. April 2018, Minister for Women and Equalities.