The Rt Hon Lord Benyon
Biography
The Rt Hon Lord Benyon was appointed Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 14 November 2023.
He was previously Minister of State (Minister for Biosecurity, Marine and Rural Affairs) at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs between 30 October 2022 and 14 November 2023.
He was also Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 13 May 2021 to 30 October 2022.
Lord Benyon was raised to the Peerage in January 2021.
Education
Richard was educated at Bradfield College and the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester.
Political career
He was Conservative MP for Newbury from May 2005 to November 2019.
Richard Benyon was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Natural Environment, Water and Rural Affairs from May 2010 to October 2013.
He served as Opposition Whip from 2007 to 2009 and as Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 2009 to 2010.
Career outside politics
Following a career in the army, where he served with the Royal Green Jackets from 1980 to 1985, Richard qualified as a chartered surveyor and ran a business which included farming, forestry and the management of rural and urban housing.
Personal life
Richard is married with 2 children and has 3 children from his previous marriage.
Follow Lord Benyon on Twitter: @RichardHRBenyon
Minister of State (Climate, Environment and Energy – joint with FCDO and Defra)
The Minister’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office responsibilities include:
- energy, climate and the environment
- conflict, stabilisation and mediation
- oceans
- deputy Minister for Development and Africa
The Minister’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs responsibilities include:
- international nature and wildlife
- oceans, domestic and international marine
- green finance
- Defra official development assistance (ODA) programme
- lead for Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs