Justine Greening MP has been unveiled as the new transport secretary, following the news that Philip Hammond is to succeed Liam Fox as defence secretary.
Justine Greening has been Conservative MP for Putney, Roehampton and Southfields since 2005 and became economic secretary to the treasury in May 2010 after the coalition came to power.
Born in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, Ms Greening attended her local comprehensive school before studying economics at Southampton University. She has an MBA from the London Business School and was a finance manager at Centrica plc before becoming an MP.
Following her election Justine was appointed as a vice chairman of the Conservative Party, with responsibility for youth. As well as previously being a member of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, in 2007 Justine became a shadow treasury minister and in January 2009 became the shadow minister for London.
Ms Greening is also a school governor at Hotham Primary School in Putney.
Click here to read Ms Greening’s full biography on the DfT website.
Reg’s comment reminds me of the remarks made about Barbara Castle when she became Transport Secretary many moons ago and did not hold a driving licence – but she proved to be a very effective minister who instigated some of the most significant improvements in road safety for many years (before or since).
Or does a Defence Minister have to have served in HM Forces, an Agriculture Minister be a farmer… etc?
I think more relevant is how quickly she learns and understands her brief and how good are the teams within her department in supporting her to do so. A bit soon to judge any of these things just yet.
Honor Byford, North Yorkshire
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Barbara Castle famously didn’t have a driving licence and didn’t do that bad a job! (70 mph speed limit, breathalyzer tests for suspected drunken drivers and compulsory seat belts)
Perhaps the REAL concern should be that Transport Secretary has now rather become a ‘transitional’ post that politicos fill on their way up (or down!).
Tony S, Bristol
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The main information missing is what road safety work has she done, what licence(s) does she hold, how many road miles does she cover. Who pays for her mileage. Otherwise sound like a nice young thing.
Reg Cranage, Ilkley West Yorks
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