Stephen Hammond

Stephen was born and educated in Southampton, attending King Edward VI School and afterwards London University. After graduating in Economics, he began a career in finance at a leading fund management house and subsequently worked for major investment banks. He was appointed a Director of the Equities division of Dresdner Kleinwort Benson in 1994 and four years later joined Commerzbank Securities. In 2000 he was promoted to Director, Pan European Research, with responsibility for seventy professionals based in London and across Europe.

Stephen joined the Conservative Party after leaving university, becoming immediately and actively involved in his local association in Hertfordshire. He co-ordinated the 1987 and 1992 General Election campaigns for Tim Wood MP and was chairman of Stevenage Conservatives for three years.

In 1994 Stephen was selected as candidate for North Warwickshire, establishing a family base in the constituency. During this time, he became known as an active campaigner on local issues, clocking up numerous successes on major environmental and road building issues as well as local crime and health problems.

In 1999, Stephen was selected by Wimbledon Conservatives as their candidate for the 2001 General Election. In the two years prior to the Election Stephen reintroduced a campaign of Saturday canvassing to find out local residents' opinions and problems and ran the highly successful "Vision for Wimbledon", " Grimebusters" and "State of the Streets" campaigns. These aimed to establish a positive vision for the future of Wimbledon by tackling specifically two of the main concerns of local residents - grafitti and poor street cleanliness.

On the strength of his commitment to local issues, Stephen was elected councillor in Village Ward in 2002 - polling the highest vote of any candidate in the borough.

In November 2004, Stephen was re-selected as Wimbledon candidate for the forthcoming General Election. He was elected as Member of Parliament in May 2005. In December 2005 Stephen was promoted to the position of Shadow Minister for Transport, a position he held for the whole of the Parliament.

During this time has played an instrumental role in formulating flagship policies such as the Conservative Party’s “Rail Review” and its strategy for a new high speed rail network for the UK. He spearheaded the Opposition’s response to, amongst others, the Concessionary Bus Fares Act, the Crossrail Act and the Local Transport Act. Stephen built up a reputation for forging strong relationships within the transport industry and for engaging with user groups and passengers.

On 6th May 2010 Stephen was re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Wimbeldon. With 23,257 votes, Stephen won 49% of all votes cast and increased his majority to 11,408. Turnout in Wimbledon was 73%, up from 68% in 2005

The most important and rewarding task of an MP, however, is to represent one’s constituents. In Westminster, Stephen has continually represented the people of Wimbledon, either through lobbying Ministers, raising issues in the House, or entertaining visitors from the constituency.

As an MP, he receives hundreds of letters and emails each week and aims to respond to each within 48 hours. He holds regular constituency surgeries and attended engagements in Wimbledon a number of times each week. One constituent recently wrote to Stephen and said "I had never before contacted an MP regarding any local issues, but I was delighted with the way you sympathetically listened to my case."

Stephen has been married to Sally since 1991. Sally has for many years worked as a private secretary to Members of Parliament based at the House of Commons. They live in Wimbledon Park, with their daughter, Alice. Visitors to the house also receive a warm welcome from their black cocker spaniel, Jasper, who is often to be seen on Wimbledon Common.

Stephen's background in finance and business is combined with a strong commitment to community affairs - he was Deputy Chairman of Merton Citizens Advice Bureau and is a sidesman at St Mary's Church in Wimbledon.

Stephen used to play hockey for a National League team and for his county, now plays veterans hockey for Wimbledon. He enjoys reading and cooking as methods of relaxation as well as keeping the company of family and friends.