Esther McVey appointed Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Esther McVey was appointed Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on 8 January 2018. She was Treasurer of HM Household (Deputy Chief Whip) from November 201 to January 2018. She was Minister of State for Employment from 2013 to 2015. She was elected Conservative MP for Wirral West in May 2010.

Education

Esther graduated in law before becoming a graduate trainee with the BBC in 1991. She returned to Liverpool John Moore’s university in 2008 to do an MSc in corporate governance.

Political career

Esther was the first MP to employ an apprentice and got the House of Commons authorities to introduce the scheme.

Career outside politics

After leaving the BBC, Esther worked as a broadcaster and a journalist, presenting and producing programmes such as GMTV, a legal series for Channel 4, a BBC consumer show and a BBC science show.

In 2000, she established her own business setting up office space for new start-up companies as well as establishing the biggest business women’s network in the north west.

She has written a careers book “If Chloe can”, which was turned into a play and performed at the National Youth Theatre.

Personal life

Esther is passionate about issues such as careers, youth unemployment, apprenticeships, investment and business growth.