George Hollingbery


Sir George Michael Edward Hollingbery is a British Conservative Party politician who was first elected at the 2010 general election as the Member of Parliament for Meon Valley. He stood down in the run up to the 2019 general election and was succeeded by Flick Drummond.

Early life and business career

Hollingbery was educated at Radley College, before studying at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford for a BA in human sciences which he was awarded by Oxford University in 1985. He then gained an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, US.
Hollingbery's earlier career was spent investing in and starting up businesses, the best known of which was veterinary chain Companion Care, sold to Pets at Home in 2002. In 2005, he began a property investment business, run from his Alresford home.
Hollingbery was elected to Winchester City Council in 1999, becoming deputy leader in 2006. Hollingbery stood in Winchester in the 2005 general election, having managed the previous candidate's campaign in 2001, but was defeated by Liberal Democrat Mark Oaten.

Parliamentary career

In the 2010 general election, Hollingbery contested the new constituency of Meon Valley in Hampshire, created as a result of boundary changes. He was elected with a majority of 12,125. He was re-elected in 2015 and 2017 with majorities of 23,913 and 25,692 respectively.
Hollingbery subsequently served on the Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art and the Communities and Local Government Committee.
In parliament, Hollingbery was a close ally of Maidenhead MP Theresa May. He supported her candidature in the 2016 Conservative Party leadership election. He also served twice as her Parliamentary Private Secretary, first in her role as Home Secretary from 2012 until 2015 and then as Prime Minister from 2016 until 2018.
Hollingbery was interviewed for the 2017 documentary Theresa vs. Boris: How May Became PM, in which he was also portrayed by Daniel Casey in dramatisations.
Hollingbery was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in Theresa May's resignation honours on 10 September 2019.
On 7 November 2019, Hollingbery announced he would not contest the 2019 general election. He added he supported Boris Johnson's Brexit deal but wanted to pursue career opportunities outside parliament.

Personal life

Hollingbery is married to Janette, originally from America. They have three children together. A horticulture hobbyist, his garden has been featured on Gardeners' World.