George Hollingbery

George is the Parliamentary Candidate for the new Parliamentary constituency of Meon Valley. The UK Parliament currently operates on different constituency boundaries.

Outside Politics

After university George spent a brief spell in the City before going to the USA to study for a Masters at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He got more than he bargained for from the experience, meeting and marrying his wife Janette as well as gaining his MBA.
 
Post business school, George very much drove his own career path. Initially finding and backing promising looking businesses that needed capital to expand, he also started several businesses of his own.
 
In 2002 Companion Care, the country's first chain of veterinary surgeries was sold to George's joint venture partner, the pet superstore company Pets at Home.
 
After the 2005 general election, George restarted his investment business taking a lead position in a business based in Whiteley in his constituency and investing in property.

George has wide range of interests outside politics and business. He is a very keen salt water flyfisherman, loves photography and collects modern crafts. He also enjoys garden design and his own garden has featured on television including the Flying Gardener and Gardeners' World and been profiled in Gardens Illustrated and the English Garden.

George's political experience

George came to politics later than many, getting involved at grass roots level in the community where he lives.

Eventually approached by the local Conseravtive branch, George was elected to Winchester City Council in 1999 and has been re-elected twice, both times with increased majorities.

George was at the centre of the team that strategised the long term rebuilding of the Conservatives in Winchester. Starting with a group just nine councillors when he was first elected, there are now twenty nine and the Conservatives have an overall majority on the council for the first time in twenty years. George served as a cabinet member and deputy leader of the council.

In 2001 George ran Andrew Hayes' general election campaign in Winchester and in 2005 fought the seat himself.