Philip Hammond was a UK Cabinet Minister and key member of the British Government for almost a decade. Leading four departments over nine years, and rising to the second most powerful job in government, he was one of only three people to serve continuously in the UK cabinet from 2010... Read more
Philip Hammond was a UK Cabinet Minister and key member of the British Government for almost a decade. Leading four departments over nine years, and rising to the second most powerful job in government, he was one of only three people to serve continuously in the UK cabinet from 2010 to 2019 throughout the tenures of Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May.
Taking on the role of Chancellor of the Exchequer shortly after the 2016 Brexit Referendum, Hammond took charge of the UK economy at a time of unprecedented uncertainty. Firm in his belief that nobody voted for Brexit with a view to becoming poorer or less secure, he fought strongly for a negotiated outcome with the European Union that would allow a continued close economic partnership between Britain and the EU.
He was part of the “E3+3” team that negotiated the JCPOA nuclear arms control deal with Iran in 2015. During his tenure as Defence and then Foreign Secretary, Hammond built strong links with the US and other allied counterparts, both civilian and military, and was a frequent visitor to Afghanistan during the ISAF mission there.
As Chancellor and as Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond played a major role in managing the UK’s evolving relationship with China and has clear views about the importance of effectively integrating China into the global system as a major economic and strategic power. He also has strong connections in the Gulf region.
As Chancellor, Hammond focussed on the key strategic challenges facing the UK and other developed economies: the technological revolution and how it is already transforming the way we work and live our lives; climate change and how to harness the market economy to deliver decarbonisation; demographic shifts and the challenges of an ageing population, and particularly in the UK, the challenge of raising productivity. He believes these challenges – none of which have been diminished by the Covid-19 pandemic – will shape the next decade.
Philip Hammond grew up in Essex, and studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at University College, Oxford. Before entering Parliament in 1997, he had a wide-ranging business career across a number of sectors including healthcare, oil and gas and property, in the UK and in Europe. He stepped down as the Member of Parliament for Runnymede and Weybridge in November 2019 after nearly 23 years serving the Surrey constituency. He was awarded a life peerage by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in July 2020.