Liam Booth-Smith, Baron Booth-Smith (born 1987), is a British political adviser who served as the Downing Street Chief of Staff under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak from October 2022 to July 2024. He previously served as Sunak's de facto chief of staff as head of the Joint Economic Unit during his chancellorship.[1]
The Lord Booth-Smith | |
---|---|
Downing Street Chief of Staff | |
In office 25 October 2022 – 5 July 2024 | |
Prime Minister | Rishi Sunak |
Preceded by | Mark Fullbrook |
Succeeded by | Sue Gray |
Special adviser to the Chancellor of the Exchequer | |
In office February 2020 – July 2022 | |
Chancellor | Rishi Sunak |
Special adviser to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom | |
In office July 2019 – July 2020 | |
Prime Minister | Boris Johnson |
Personal details | |
Born | Liam Booth-Smith 1987 (age 36–37) Stoke on Trent, England |
Domestic partner | Olivia Booth-Smith |
Alma mater | Loughborough University |
Early life and education
editBooth-Smith was born in 1987[2] in Stoke on Trent and was raised by a single mother.[3] He read politics and social policy at Loughborough University.[4]
Career
editBooth-Smith served as chief executive of the Localis think tank between 2016 and 2018, before serving as a special adviser to James Brokenshire as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government between 2018 and 2019, where Rishi Sunak was a junior minister.[1] In July 2019, Booth-Smith became a senior adviser to prime minister Boris Johnson upon his accession as prime minister.[1] He had previously worked at the Policy Exchange think tank with a specialism in housing policy.[2]
In February 2020, Booth-Smith became then-chancellor Sunak's de facto chief of staff as head of the Joint Economic Unit between 10 Downing Street and 11 Downing Street,[5] overseeing the Treasury's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Booth-Smith led Rishi Sunak's leadership campaign during the July–September 2022 Conservative Party leadership election, and again during the October 2022 Conservative Party leadership election.[5]
Downing Street Chief of Staff
editBooth-Smith was appointed as Downing Street Chief of Staff in October 2022 after Rishi Sunak's accession as prime minister. He succeeded Mark Fullbrook.
In 2023 the New Statesman named him as the ninth most powerful figure in British Right-Wing Politics.[6]
Peerage
editIn the 2024 Dissolution Honours, he was nominated for a life peerage.[7] He was created as Baron Booth-Smith on 21 August 2024.[8]
Personal life
editBooth-Smith is married to former special adviser Olivia Oates.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Liam Booth-Smith". Mace Magazine. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- ^ a b Payne, Sebastian (25 October 2022). "Who's who in Team Sunak — new PM's core aides". Financial Times. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- ^ Elgot, Jessica (25 October 2022). "The aides and spads expected to join Rishi Sunak in Downing Street". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- ^ Leake, Natasha (26 October 2022). "Meet the elite, chic circle of youngsters behind Rishi's premiership". Tatler. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- ^ a b Diver, Tony (24 October 2022). "'Travolta of the Treasury' among aides and spin doctors set for Rishi Sunak's No 10". The Telegraph. The Telegraph. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- ^ Statesman, New (2023-09-27). "The New Statesman's right power list". New Statesman. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
- ^ "Dissolution Peerages 2024". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
- ^ "Lord Booth-Smith: Parliamentary career". UK Parliament. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ Dickson, Annabelle (14 February 2022). "Britain's political power couples — ranked". Politico. Retrieved 30 October 2022.