Margot James grew up in Coventry and was educated at Millfield School in Somerset and the London School of Economics (University of London), where she graduated with a BSc in Economics and Government.

After graduating Margot started work for Maurice James Industries (MJI), a business started by her father in the 1930s. Margot went on to work for a consulting firm and then in 1986 co-founded her own company, Shire Health, a PR and medical education business. Shire Health was voted 'Consultancy of the Year' three times and Margot was voted Communicator of the Year in 1997. After twelve years running the business Margot sold Shire Health to the WPP Group and was appointed to the European board of Ogilvy & Mather as Head of Healthcare. In 2008 she received a lifetime award for services to Pharmaceutical Marketing.

As well as her business interests Margot has for many years been involved in the voluntary sector and the NHS. She served on the board of Parkside NHS Trust for four years and she has worked as a Mental Health Manager. She spent ten years as a trustee of Abantu, an African women's charity, and also worked as a mentor for the Prince's Trust and Young Enterprise.

Margot spends most of her time at her home in Oldswinford. When she is not working, she and her partner Jay enjoy spending time with her family. She enjoys cooking, walking her dog, catching up with friends, watching wild life programmes, collecting wine and doing wine tastings.

Margot's Experience

As a student Margot was chairman of the London School of Economics Conservative Association and worked as a researcher for Sir Anthony Durant MP. During her gap year, Margot worked in the press office of Conservative Central Office.

She stood as the Conservative Party's Parliamentary candidate in Holborn & St Pancras at the 2005 General Election, where she increased the number of votes for the Conservative Party and gained an above average swing of 2%.

At the end of 2005 Margot was appointed by David Cameron to the position of Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party for women's issues. While in this post, she formed the Women's Policy Group under the chairmanship of Eleanor Laing MP.

In 2006 Margot was elected as a Councillor in Kensington & Chelsea. She stood down in 2008, but during her time as a Councillor she chaired a review of older people's accommodation in Kensington & Chelsea.

Margot was selected as the Conservative Party candidate for the constituency of Stourbridge, thirty miles from where she was born, in December 2006.  

She has been the Member of Parliament for Stourbridge since 6 May 2010 general election

Party groups

Chair, London School of Economics Conservative Association

Vice-chair (women's issues), Conservative Party 2005-10

Select committees

Member: Business, Innovation and Skills 2010-

Arms Export Controls 2010-

Councils, public bodies

Non-executive director, Parkside NHS Trust 1998-2003

Councillor, Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council 2006-08