Gavin Barwell – Keynote Speaker

Gavin Barwell served as Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister from June 2017 to July 2019, during one of the most turbulent periods in British political history. As the Prime Minister’s senior political adviser, he was intimately involved in the conduct of the Brexit negotiations; the development of key domestic policies such as the long-term plan for our NHS and the UK’s commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050; and in formulating the UK response to international incidents such as the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal.

Prior to his appointment as Chief of Staff, he was the Member of Parliament for Croydon Central, from May 2010 until June 2017, and a Government Minister, from October 2013 until June 2017 (initially a Whip and then Minister of State for Housing & Planning and Minister for London).

Prior to his election to Parliament, he was the Chief Operating Officer of the Conservative Party and served as a local councillor in his home town of Croydon. In October 2019, he was appointed to the House of Lords.

Taken together, these roles have given him an unparalleled insight into British politics from grassroots campaigning in a marginal seat through party headquarters, local government, Parliament, Ministerial office to 10 Downing Street, as well as a good network in a number of European governments and EU institutions.

He now runs his own business providing advice to clients including Arcadis, Avonhurst, Barratt, Blackstone, Community Fibre, DLA Piper and PwC on public policy and geopolitical trends. He is also a non-executive director of Clarion Housing Group, the largest housing association in the country; a member of the Advisory Board of the Work Foundation, the leading think tank focused on improving work in the UK; and a Vice President of London Councils, the collective body of the 32 London boroughs and the City of London.

In 2021, Gavin’s book ‘Chief of Staff: Notes from Downing Street’ was released. It was selected as the book of the year by The Times, Guardian and Prospect. In this book, Gavin reveals what really went on in the corridors of power during Theresa May’s time in office.

He is a graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge with a BA in Natural Sciences. He is 49 years old and married with three children.