Rt Hon David Willetts

Visiting Professor, King’s College London Former UK Minister for Universities and Science

David Willetts served as the Member of Parliament for Havant from 1992 to March 2015. From May 2010 to July 2014 David served as Minister for Universities and Science in the United Kingdom, and he was appointed as a Privy Councillor in June 2010.

While in government, David held the positions of Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) (Universities and Science) (2010-14), Paymaster General (HM Treasury) (1996), Parliamentary Secretary (Duchy of Lancaster Office) (1995-96), Lord Commissioner (HM Treasury) (Whip) (1995), Assistant Whip (HM Treasury) (1994-95).
In opposition he was Shadow Minister (Education) (2007-10), Shadow Secretary of State for Education (2005-07), Shadow Secretary of State (Trade and Industry) (2005), Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (2001-
05), Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1999-01), Shadow Secretary of State for Education (1998-99).

He is a Visiting Fellow at Nuffield College, Oxford, a Governor of the Ditchley Foundation, a member of the Council of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, a member of the Global Aging Commission, a member of the Advisory Board of the British Council, and Visiting Professor at King’s College London and the Cass Business School.

David has written widely on economic and social policy, and his published works include Modern Conservatism (1992), Tax Credits: Do They Add Up? (2002),Left Out, Left Behind (2003), Old Europe? Demographic Change and Pension Reform (2003), Conservatives in Birmingham (2008), and The Pinch: how the baby boomers took their children’s future and why they should give it back (2010).

David was educated at King Edward’s School Birmingham and earned a Bachelor of Arts from Oxford.