About
Penny Mordaunt was a British Parliamentarian for 14 years, holding nine ministerial roles, four in Cabinet. She now works with a portfolio of global organisations to promote prosperity and security.
She works with charitable and philanthropic endeavour demonstrating Britain’s capacity as a force for good in the world, and to help people across the UK improve their community.
Following Greater, Britain after the storm published in 2021, Pomp and Circumstance is due Autumn 2025. It looks at Britain’s traditions and how they help the nation face the future.
She was Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons.
(September 2022- July 2024) She was a Commissioner of the House of Commons, the Cabinet member responsible for the Governments legislative agenda and Chair of the Monarch’s Privy Council. She came to the public’s attention in this role, presiding over the Accession Council following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and at the coronation of King Charles III.
She was Minister of State at the Department for International Trade.
(September 2021 - September 2022) She brokered new trade deals, oversaw the UK’s accession to CPTPP and established economic agreements with US states, in lieu of a federal deal. She established the Trade Remedies Authority and was responsible for the UK’s policy at the World Trade Organisation.
She was Paymaster General
(2020-21) She became the UK Government’s first cross-government defensive cyber lead and led the rewrite of the UK’s civil contingencies and resilience strategy. She was responsible for all civil contingencies work in Government. In this role she was on the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee overseeing the UK’s exit from the UK. She also established the compensation study for the infected blood scandal.
She was Secretary of State for Defence
(2019), the first woman in the UK to hold this position. She was a member of the National Security Council and responsible for the defence of the nation.
She was Minister for Women and Equalities
(2018, held concurrently with other Cabinet roles). She focussed on building financial resilience and opportunities for those trapped in low paid work, in particular women and people with disabilities.
She was Secretary of State for International Development
(2017-19) She was responsible for the Government’s humanitarian and disaster relief response, development and investment work. She was the UK’s Governor at the World Bank.
She was Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work
(2016). She produced the Health and Work Plan which resulted in halving the disability employment gap.
She was Minister for the Armed Forces
(2015). She was responsible for the UK’s operations and force generation during one of the most kinetic times in recent history.
She was Minister of Local Government
(2014). She had particular responsibility for regenerating High Streets and coastal communities, saving heritage, some planning decisions, civil contingencies and was the Fire Services Minister.
As a backbench MP she served on the European Scrutiny Committee and Defence Select Committee.
Prior to her Parliamentary career she has worked in the public, private and charitable sectors.
She was Head of Foreign Press, Republican National Committee, for the George W Bush Presidential campaign (September - November 2000).
She was a Royal Navy Reservist for 10 years and is now an Honorary Captain affiliated to MCM2 Squadron, The UK’s mine hunters and bomb disposal divers.
She is co-author of Greater: Britain After The Storm, which made bestseller lists in the UK and US.
