Helen Grant (politician)
Helen Grant | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Shadow Solicitor General | |
| Assumed office 6 November 2024 | |
| Leader | Kemi Badenoch |
| Preceded by | Alberto Costa |
| Minister of State for Sport and Tourism | |
| In office 7 October 2013 – 12 May 2015 | |
| Prime Minister | David Cameron |
| Preceded by | Hugh Robertson |
| Succeeded by | Tracey Crouch |
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Courts and Victims | |
| In office 4 September 2012 – 7 October 2013 | |
| Prime Minister | David Cameron |
| Preceded by | Jonathan Djanogly |
| Succeeded by | Shailesh Vara |
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Equalities | |
| In office 4 September 2012 – 8 May 2015 | |
| Prime Minister | David Cameron |
| Preceded by | Lynne Featherstone |
| Succeeded by | Caroline Dinenage |
| Member of Parliament for Maidstone and Malling Maidstone and The Weald (2010–2024) | |
| Assumed office 6 May 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Ann Widdecombe |
| Majority | 1,674 (3.6%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Helen Okuboye 28 September 1961 Willesden, Middlesex, England |
| Political party | Conservative (2006–present) Labour (2004–2006) |
| Spouse | Simon Grant |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence(s) | Kingswood, Surrey, England Loose, Kent, England |
| Alma mater | University of Hull |
| Occupation | Solicitor |
| Website | helengrant.org |
Helen Grant OBE (née Okuboye; born 28 September 1961) is a British politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Maidstone and The Weald from 2010 until 2024 when the constituency was abolished, and subsequently Maidstone and Malling since July 2024. A member of the Conservative Party, she succeeded Ann Widdecombe, who was first elected in 1987. She has served as Shadow Solicitor General since November 2024.
Grant was the first black woman of mixed heritage to be elected as a Conservative MP and selected as a candidate to stand for a Conservative-held parliamentary seat. She first served in government as jointly Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Women and Equalities (2012–2015) and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (2012–2013). She also became Minister for Sport and Tourism in 2013, a post she held until after the 2015 general election.
In January 2021, she was appointed as Special Envoy of Boris Johnson on Girls' Education.