Francis Maude

Francis Maude. Francis Anthony Aylmer Maude, Baron Maude of Horsham, is a British Conservative politician and life peer who served as a senior minister in the governments of Margaret Thatcher, John Major, and David Cameron. He is best known for his pivotal role as Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General from 2010 to 2015, where he spearheaded the Coalition Government's efficiency and reform agenda. His political career spans over three decades, including periods as a Member of Parliament for North Warwickshire and later Horsham.

Early life and education

Born in Abingdon-on-Thames, he is the son of Angus Maude, a former Conservative MP and cabinet minister, and the writer Penelope Maude. He was educated at the independent Abingdon School before attending Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he read law and was President of the Cambridge Union. After graduating, he completed his professional legal training at the College of Law in Guildford and was called to the bar at Inner Temple.

Political career

He first entered the House of Commons at the 1983 general election, winning the newly created seat of North Warwickshire. He served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nigel Lawson, and later to the Home Secretary, Douglas Hurd. After losing his seat in the 1992 election, he worked in the private sector, including a role at Morgan Stanley. He returned to Parliament at the 1997 election, succeeding Peter Hordern as MP for Horsham. He held several senior opposition roles, including Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office under leaders Michael Howard and David Cameron.

Ministerial roles

His first ministerial appointment was as Financial Secretary to the Treasury in 1994 under John Major, before being promoted to Minister of State for Europe in 1995, where he dealt with matters related to the European Union. Following the 2010 election, he was appointed as a key figure in the Coalition Government, serving as Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General. In this role, he was the driving force behind the government's efficiency program, overseeing the creation of the Government Digital Service, the expansion of the Crown Commercial Service, and major reforms to public sector procurement and civil service operations.

Post-political career

He stood down as an MP at the 2015 general election and was subsequently elevated to the House of Lords, being created Baron Maude of Horsham. He has since pursued a career in business and advisory roles, serving as a senior advisor to the consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers and the investment bank Goldman Sachs. He also chairs the Board of Trade advisory group and has been involved with various think tanks, including the Institute for Government. He remains a commentator on public service reform and digital government.

Personal life

He married Christina Jane Hadfield in 1984, and they have four children. The family resides in West Sussex. He is a supporter of the National Trust and maintains interests in history and architecture. His brother, John Maude, is a former High Court judge who served on the High Court. Category:1953 births Category:Living people Category:Conservative Party (UK) life peers Category:Alumni of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge Category:People educated at Abingdon School Category:Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Horsham Category:Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for North Warwickshire Category:UK MPs 1983–1987 Category:UK MPs 1987–1992 Category:UK MPs 1997–2001 Category:UK MPs 2001–2005 Category:UK MPs 2005–2010 Category:UK MPs 2010–2015