Julian Smith

http://www.conservatives.com/OurTeam/Members_of_Parliament/Smith_Julian.aspx

JULIAN SMITH
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR SKIPTON AND RIPON

Julian was born in 1971 in Stirling. He was brought up in a remote hill farming village and his childhood revolved around sport and music. A junior international squash player, he also reached grade 8 on violin and piano. He was educated at a local comprehensive and received a sixth form bursary to Millfield School, Somerset. After leaving school, Julian was asked to coach a squash team in Perpignan, France, prior to attending Birmingham University where he read English and History.

Julian is Parliamentary Private Secretary to Justine Greening MP, Secretary of State for International Development. He is also a Small Business Ambassador for the Conservative Party for Yorkshire and the North East.

He was elected in 2010 following a successful career as an entrepreneur. During this time Julian set up and led Arq International, a leader in its field of executive recruiting, based in London and Singapore and working across Europe, Asia and the United States.

Since his election Julian has focused on business and rural issues, national security, and international development concerns. He is a member of the cross party group supporting the Transantlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and a member of the Fresh Start group of Conservative MPs, making the case for EU reform. He led the campaign for Superfast Broadband in North Yorkshire and has also been closely involved in bringing the Tour de France Grand Depart to the UK.