A history graduate of Keble College Oxford, Andrew went on to gain a PhD in modern history and a fellowship at the Nuffield College, Oxford.

His early career saw him elected to Oxford City Council for a four year term before working at the Financial Times where he held the role of Public Policy Editor. He later moved to the Observer as a political columnist before joining Tony Blair’s Number 10 policy staff in the late 90’s. 

His first role with the Blair administration was as education advisor but he swiftly progressed to Head of the Policy Unit.

A key figure of reforms in education, health, local government, policing and transport, Andrew has served as Minister for Schools, Minister of State for Transport and Secretary of State for Transport where his achievements included instigating plans for the HS2 north-south rail line and was a major force behind the Academies Programme. He was also instrumental in the controversial introductions of student tuition fees and was a member of the negotiating team that liaised with the Liberal Democrats following the 2010 general election.

Following his departure from The Cabinet, Andrew became a trustee of Teach First, chaired the trustee board of Frontline and sat on the board of Police Now. He was made founding chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, a role from which he later resigned owing to the government’s approach to Brexit. He now sits on the crossbenches in the House of Lords.

Publications include books on parliamentary reform, the class system and the much-debated poll tax.

As a keynote speaker, Andrew presentations cover such topics as change management, social responsibility, the political landscape and transformational leadership.