Lord Whitehead CBE

Biography

Lord Whitehead CBE was Minister of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero between 11 November 2025 and 21 July 2026.

Education

Alan studied Politics and Philosophy at the University of Southampton, later receiving a PhD in Political Science from the institution.

Political career

Alan served as Labour MP for Southampton Test between 1997 and 2024.

He has previously been Parliamentary Under-Secretary in the Department of Transport, Local Government and Regions from 2001 to 2002, been a member of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee from 2009 to 2015, and served as Shadow Minister for Energy Security from 2016 to 2024.

Career outside politics

From 1979 to 1982 he was Director of OUTSET charity, then from 1983 to 1992 he worked for the BIIT charity, where he was also a director.

He was elected to Southampton City Council between 1980 to 1992, and was the Leader of the Council between 1984 to 1992, where he championed innovative energy projects such as geothermal heating for the Civic Centre.

He became Professor of Public Policy and Administration at Southampton Institute in 1992.