Biography

 

 

After university George worked briefly for Robert Fleming Securities 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 restoring run down residential properties.

George has wide range of interests outside politics and business. He is a very keen salt water fly fisherman, loves photography and collects modern crafts. He also gives a lot of time to garden design and his own garden has featured on television, been profiled in Gardens Illustrated and most recently appeared in the English Garden.

 

George came to politics later than many, getting involved at grass roots level in a campaign to prevent a supermarket opening locally. He was elected to Winchester City Council in 1999 and was 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 on Winchester City Council. Starting with a group just nine councillors when he was first elected, there are now twenty six.

He fought the Winchester seat in 2005 and was selected to be the Conservative candidate for the new Meon Valley constituency in 2006.

He was elected to serve as the MP for Meon Valley at the May 2010 General Election.