Cambridge law graduate Oliver Dowden was at the centre of power long before his appointment as culture secretary.
He served as an adviser to former prime minister David Cameron between 2010 and 2015, before being elected as Conservative MP for Hertsmere in May that year.
The married father-of-two, who still lives in the Hertfordshire borough, said it was his work as Mr Cameron’s deputy chief of staff that led to him being made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2015 dissolution honours list.
Before then, he was the Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office from January 9 2018 to July 24 2019.
He voted for Remain in the 2016 EU referendum and later backed Prime Minister Boris Johnson during the leadership contest.
He said his focus as an MP has so far been on improving transport and education in Hertsmere, along with “defending” the countryside and standing against anti-Semitism.
Mr Dowden replaces Nicky Morgan, who confirmed she would be standing down from her Cabinet role ahead of the reshuffle.
