Julian Knight is the Former Member of Parliament for Solihull. Prior to his political career, he worked for the BBC as personal finance and consumer affairs reporter and In 2007 he became the Money and Property Editor of The Independent on Sunday. In 2020, Julian was elected as Chairman of the powerful Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee.
Early Life
Knight was born in 1972 in Chester. Born on a council estate, his mother – a telephonist – worked two jobs to keep a roof over their heads, and Julian took up a job alongside his studies at 16. Although times were very tough, he got through it and became the very first member of his family to attend university.
Early Career
After university, Knight returned to Chester where he worked for a number of electrical retailers before moving to London to sell advertising for The Sun Newspaper. He later worked for the BBC as personal finance and consumer affairs reporter for five years until 2007, working across television, radio and online. In 2007 he became the Money and Property Editor of The Independent on Sunday.
Knight has also written books on a variety of subjects for the For Dummies series, including the Euro crisis, Retiring Wealthy and The Royal Wedding.
Political Career
From July 2015 to April 2017, Knight served as a member of the House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee, during which time he co-sponsored the Government's Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
In January 2018, Knight was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Ministry of Justice providing support to Ministers. He also served at the Department for Work & Pensions and HM Treasury. Knight also served as the Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy to Mongolia, where he formed part of a network of parliamentarians with the role of strengthening relations with foreign countries and helping British businesses in accessing foreign markets.
In January 2020, Knight was elected as Chair of the powerful Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee and held a series of evidence sessions and published reports including on the government support for the industry during the pandemic, holding sport venues and clubs accountable, reviewing BBC impartiality & the TV Licence Fee, amongst a range of other important areas.
Local Issues
Local issues always come first for Julian, and even since before being selected to contest the Solihull constituency Julian has been a pro-active and energetic campaigner for local health services. He fought to ensure that the new Urgent Care Centre was delivered and has been in close contact with the Department of Health and the management of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust throughout their recent takeover of local health services. Julian has also campaigned with the f40 group to secure a fairer funding deal for Solihull schools.
Personal Life
Julian lives in Solihull and is married to Philippa, a former nurse.