The Rt Hon Don Foster
Biography
The Rt Hon Don Foster was appointed as Deputy Chief Whip (Comptroller of HM Household) in October 2013.
He was elected as the Liberal Democrat MP for Bath in 1992.
Education
Don Foster was educated at the Lancaster Royal Grammar School, before studying at Keele University where he was awarded a BSc in physics and psychology. He went on to gain an MEd at the University of Bath.
Political career
Don served as Spokesman on Education under the leadership of Paddy Ashdown from 1992 to 1999.
He has also served on the following Select Committees:
- Education Sub-committee 1995-99
- Education and Employment 1995-99
Don was appointed as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Communities and Local Government in September 2012.
Career outside politics
Don was a science teacher for many years, before becoming a science project director with the Avon Education Authority. He later became a lecturer in education at Bath University. During the 1980s he served as a councillor on Avon County Council and was Chair of the Education Committee.
Personal life
Mr Foster lives in Bath and is married to Victoria. They have a son and a daughter and 6 grandchildren. A member of Amnesty International and the Child Poverty Action Group, he is particularly interested in issues in the developing world.