Julian’s roots are in North Yorkshire and County Durham from both sides of his family. He lives near Skipton and in London.

Julian was born in 1971 in Stirling. He was brought up in a remote village, surrounded by sheep farms and his childhood revolved around sport and music. A junior international squash player he also reached grade 8 on violin and piano. He was educated at a local comprehensive and received a sixth form bursary to Millfield School, Somerset. After leaving school, Julian was asked to coach a squash team in Perpignan, France for a year prior to attending Birmingham University where he read English and History.

Julian set up Arq International in the front room of his flat in 1999 – it became a leader in its field of executive recruiting before being liquidated when Julian became the Member of Parliament for Skipton and Ripon. He is now a full-time MP.

Since being elected in May 2010, he has dealt with thousands of issues that constituents have asked to help with or represent.

He has also led several successful campaigns - saving Skipton’s Court and winning serious investment for our area. £1 million was awarded to Craven College, the same amount to South Craven School and £18 million investment is being made by Government for superfast broadband in North Yorkshire. He has also worked to improve signage to our tourist destinations and keep Masham on the Map.

In Parliament, Julian seeks every opportunity to get the issues of our constituency heard in the debating chamber and with Ministers. Most recently on the impact of concessionary bus travel and rising fuel and heating oil costs for our rural community. He is also the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister for International Development, Alan Duncan MP. He is also on the Advisory Board for the independent think tank Reform.

His focus is not just Parliament, it is also Julian’s job to robustly challenge local councils, companies and public organisations on your behalf.

Julian is married to Amanda.

Expenses

IPSA, the new body set-up to administer MP Expenses has started to publish details of what has been claimed by Members of Parliament. You can find the details on their special website at http://www.parliamentary-standards.org.uk/