Member of Parliament for Skipton and Ripon
Julian Smith was born in Stirling in Scotland and attended Balfron High School, a local comprehensive, and later Millfield School in Somerset with a Sixth Form Bursary. Growing up, Julian was a junior international squash player and, briefly, spent time living and working in France where he coached a squash team in Perpignan prior to attending university.  Julian attended the University of Birmingham where he read English and History. 

Julian was elected in 2010 following a successful career as an entrepreneur. During this time he set up and led Arq International, a leader in its field of executive recruiting, based in London and Singapore and working across Europe, Asia and the United States. Since his 2010 election Julian has focused on business issues, national security, rural issues and international development concerns. He has been a member of the cross party group supporting the Transantlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and a member of the Fresh Start group of Conservative MPs, making the case for EU reform. He has also been closely involved in bringing the Tour de France Grand Depart to the UK.  Until May 2015 Julian was also a member of the advisory board of the London-based think tank, Reform.

In May 2015, Julian was re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Skipton and Ripon, nearly doubling his majority and receiving the support of over half of those who voted.  In May 2015 Julian joined the Government as a Minister in the Whips’ Office and in July 2016 was promoted to the position of Government Whip and Vice Chamberlain of HM Household.  

Following a General Election on 8 June 2017, Julian was re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Skipton and Ripon, increasing his vote by more than 6,000. On the 13 June 2017 Julian was appointed by the Prime Minister as Government Deputy Chief Whip.

By convention, Whips do not speak in the House of Commons.  However, he will continue to fight for Skipton and Ripon and speak up for our community in his meetings with fellow Ministers and behind the scenes.