About Me

My name is Paul Hanningfield and it is my privilege to be the leader of Essex County Council.

I was born in West Hanningfield, where my ancestors can be traced back more than 500 years, and I have lived my entire life in Essex.

I was educated at King Edward VI's Grammar School in Chelmsford from where I won a Nuffield Fellowship to study agriculture and marketing in the United States.

My family business was in farming.

I have been a member of Essex County Council for over thirty years serving as Chairman of the council between 1989-92. Throughout my time as a councillor, education has featured highly as an area of interest. I was Chairman of the council's education committee in the early eighties and was a firm supporter of grammar schools. I served on the Court of City University (1979-83) and I am presently on the Court of the University of Essex. I was also the Vice-Chairman of the Further Education Funding Council (1993-98).

In 1997 I helped to set up the Local Government Association – the national body that represents the interests of local government at Westminster. I served as Vice-Chairman of the LGA for four years (1997-01).

I have also been heavily involved in Europe and the recent expansion of the EU. I served as Chairman of the enlargement group on a body called the Committee of the Regions, which acts as the local government arm of the European parliament. During this time I visited most of the recent accession nations and took a special interest in Bulgaria.

I was created a life peer in 1998 and during my time in the Lords I have served as Shadow Minister for Education, and since May 2005, I have been Shadow Minister for Local Government and for Transport, as well as serving as an Opposition Whip in the Lords.

When time allows, I am a keen gardener and like nothing better than taking my Bernese Mountain dog for a long walk.

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