Studies at Newnham College, Cambridge University. 1983-87, Press and Broadcasting Officer; 1987-89, Policy Coordinator for Leader of Opposition, Neil Kinnock; 1989-94, Deputy Director, Institute for Public Policy Research; 1992-94, Deputy Chair, Commission for Social Justice; 1994-97, Director, Research, Andersen Consulting, now Accenture; since 1997, Member of Parliament; 1997-98, Member, Social Security Select Committee; 1998-99, Economic Secretary, Treasury; 1999-2001, Minister for Small Business and e-Commerce, Department of Trade and Industry; 2001-05, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, UK and, concurrently, Cabinet Minister for Women. Currently Secretary of State for Health. Author of book, About Time (1993). Interests: reading, theatre, music, gardening.