Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The Rt Hon Theresa Villiers

The Rt Hon Theresa Villiers

Biography

Theresa Villiers was appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 24 July 2019.

Theresa Villiers served as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland from September 2012 until July 2016. Previously she served as Minister of State for Transport from May 2010 until September 2012. Theresa was elected the Conservative MP for Chipping Barnet in 2005.

Education

Theresa went to Francis Holland School in London then studied law at the University of Bristol and Jesus College, Oxford.

Political career

Highlights include:

  • MP for Chipping Barnet 2005 to present
  • MEP for London 1999 to 2005
  • Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury 2005 to 2007
  • Shadow Secretary of State for Transport 2007 to 2010
  • Minister of State for Transport 2010 to 2012
  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 2012 to 2016

Career outside politics

After university, Theresa worked as a barrister and as a lecturer in law at Kings College, London.

Personal life

Theresa was born in 1968 and grew up in St John’s Wood, north London. She lives in Arkley in Barnet.

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The Secretary of State has overall responsibility for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Specific responsibilities include:

  • departmental administration
  • emergencies
  • international relations
  • oversight of Brexit work and post-EU policy programme
More about this role

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

Previous roles in government

  1. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

    • 2012 to 2016

  2. Minister of State for Transport

    • 2010 to 2012

Announcements

  1. Cash boost and fairer funding formula for farmers across the UK
    • News story
  2. Software systems Rural Payments Agency (RPA)
    • FOI release
  3. Software systems Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)
    • FOI release
  4. Defra chief scientist departs after seven years in post
    • News story
  5. Theresa Villiers visits RSPB headquarters
    • News story
  6. Public to have their say on the food system of the future
    • Press release
  7. Activation of Bellwin Scheme and cash boost for Whaley Bridge
    • Press release
  8. Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers visits Whaley Bridge
    • Press release
  9. Environment Secretary's speech at Countryfile Live 2019
    • Speech
  10. Plastic bag sales down 90% since introduction of 5p charge
    • Press release
View all announcements