Margot James

Margot Cathleen James MP (born 28 August 1957) is a British politician and entrepreneur. She is the Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency of Stourbridge and was PPS to Stephen Green, Baron Green of Hurstpierpoint during his period as Minister for Trade and Investment. She is the first openly lesbian MP in the Conservative Party. She served as a local councillor in Kensington & Chelsea from 2006 to 2008.

Early life

The younger daughter of a self-made businessman, James was born in Coventry. Educated privately in Leamington Spa, she was in the sixth form at Millfield School. James is a graduate of the London School of Economics (LSE) with a degree in Economics and Government.

Professional career

James worked in sales and marketing for her father's business, Maurice James Industries (MJI), a haulage, waste management, and property group based around Birmingham. After working for a consulting firm, in 1986 she co-founded Shire Health Group, a public relations and clinical trials organisation. Shire Health was voted "Consultancy of the Year" three times, while James was voted Communicator of the Year in 1997. The company was sold to WPP Group in 2004, with James appointed Head of European Healthcare for WPP subsidiary Ogilvy & Mather.