Liam Booth-Smith
Liam Booth-Smith (born 1987) is a British political adviser who has served as the Downing Street Chief of Staff since October 2022. He previously served as de facto chief of staff to then-chancellor Rishi Sunak as head of the Joint Economic Unit.[1]
Liam Booth-Smith | |
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![]() Liam Booth-Smith, October 2022 | |
Downing Street Chief of Staff | |
Assumed office 25 October 2022 | |
Prime Minister | Rishi Sunak |
Preceded by | Mark Fullbrook |
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 | 1987 (age 35–36) Stoke on Trent, United Kingdom |
Domestic partner | Olivia Booth-Smith |
Alma mater | Loughborough University |
Early life and education
Booth-Smith was born in 1987[2] to in Stoke on Trent and was raised by a single mother.[3] He read politics and social policy at Loughborough University.[4]
Career
Booth-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
Booth-Smith was appointed as Downing Street Chief of Staff in October 2022 after Rishi Sunak's accession as prime minister. He succeeded Mark Fullbrook.
Personal life
Booth-Smith is married to former special adviser Olivia Booth-Smith.[6]
References
- "Liam Booth-Smith". Mace Magazine. Mace Magazine. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- Payne, Sebastian. "Who's who in Team Sunak — new PM's core aides". FT. Financial Times. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- Elgot, Jessica. "The aides and spads expected to join Rishi Sunak in Downing Street". The Guardian. The Guardian. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- Leake, Natasha. "Meet the elite, chic circle of youngsters behind Rishi's premiership". Tatler. Tatler. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- Diver, Tony. "'Travolta of the Treasury' among aides and spin doctors set for Rishi Sunak's No 10". The Telegraph. The Telegraph. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- Dickson, Annabelle. "Britain's political power couples — ranked". Politico. Politico. Retrieved 30 October 2022.