Since assuming his new role on Thursday 27 October this year, Hollinrake, who has been MP for Thirsk and Malton since 2015, has visited a variety of SMEs to “better understand” how they serve local communities.
In a social media post on Twitter following his appointment, Hollinrake said: “Delighted to serve the PM, Government and His Majesty in a role whose principal responsibility is to look after interests of small business and enterprise, something I'm truly passionate about.
Economic opportunity
“SMEs are the biggest drivers of economic opportunity and integral in driving down consumer prices.”
Previously, the Conservative MP has served as private secretary to Michael Gove as Secretary of State of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The North-Yorkshire native also has hands on experience with running a small business, having co-founded Hunters Estate Agency in York in 1992, which grew to more than 150 branches across the country by 2015 with Hollinrake holding a 15% state in the company.
Furthermore, Hollinrake founded retail business Shoptility Limited in 2013, serving as the company chairman until 2017 before its dissolvement in 2019.
New roles
Additionally, Hollinrake was also selected as the Conservative candidate for Dewsbury for the 2010 general election, however he resigned the candidacy in October 2008 to focus on his business ventures.
The new BEIS under-secretary took over the role from Dean Russell, MP for Watford, who held the position from 20 September to 27 October this year and was preceded by MP for Loughborough Jane Hunt with both MPs having a short-lived tenure due to Government departmental reshuffles at the time.
Prior to this, Paul Scully MP held the position from February 2020 to July 2022 before leaving to undertake a new role as the Minister of State for Local Government and Building Safety, however, since then Scully has been appointed as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Tech and the Digital Economy.
