Phil Willis MP
Phil Willis MP was born in Burnley Lancashire in 1941. He was educated at Burnley Grammar School, City of Leeds and Carnegie College and Birmingham University where he graduated with a Degree in Philosophy, and he spent much of his professional life in teaching. From 1978 until 1997 he worked was Head of two large comprehensive schools in Middlesbrough and Leeds where he achieved national recognition for his pioneering work on inclusive education.
He entered Parliament as MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough in 1997, defeating Norman Lamont the former Chancellor of the Exchequer. In 1999 he was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Skills by Charles Kennedy retaining the post until the 2005 General Election when he was appointed Chairman of the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee. As Chairman he has developed a special interest in evidence based policy making, knowledge transfer leading to wealth creation and medical science. Phil Willis has a wide range of interests in Parliament and his additional responsibilities include being Chair of the Science and Learning Group, Treasurer of the Medical Research Group and Vice Chair of the Engineering and IT Group.