Cabinet role for MP Matt Hancock

Huge congratulations to alumnus Matt Hancock (OKS 1996) who has this week been appointed Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport.

At 39 years old, Matt is the youngest member of the cabinet and took to Twitter to express his delight at his new role.

Thrilled to become DCMS Secretary. Such an exciting agenda, so much to do, and great people. Can’t wait to get stuck in #DigitalCultureMediaSport https://t.co/HlspHnJjHG

— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) January 8, 2018

Matt was previously Minister of State for Digital from July 2016 to January 2018. His promotion follows Karen Bradley’s appointment as the new Northern Ireland Secretary as part of a cabinet reshuffle.

Chester-born Matt, who is married with two children and now lives in Little Thurlow, Suffolk, attended Farndon County Primary School, before joining The King’s School.

Previously commenting on his memories of King’s, he said: “I enjoyed my time at King’s, which gave me a great start. I enjoy meeting up with old friends and faces through the alumni network, which seems to be getting stronger all the time.”

Matt graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, having studied at Exeter College, Oxford, and later received a MPhil in Economics from Christ’s College, Cambridge. Matt became a member of the Conservative Party in 1999 and MP for West Suffolk at the 2010 general election.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, has grown to cover a range of portfolios and is tasked with driving growth, enriching lives and promoting Britain abroad.

His appointment has been welcomed by Geoff Taylor, CEO of BPI and Brit Awards, who said: “Matt Hancock has shown himself to be a passionate champion of the creative industries and an ardent supporter of British music and a Minister that gets things done.”

Matt is a big fan of horse racing and even trained to become a jockey for a charity horse race in 2012, raising £10,000 and losing two stone in the process.