Sam Gyimah: The PM’s right hand man

Next time you watch Prime Minister’s Questions - every midday on Wednesdays - have a look at the man behind the PM passing him notes and other relevant files. That man will be Sam Gyimah MP and Private Personal Secretary to the nation's Prime Minister.   Gyimah’s role is to ensure that the PM has every base covered.  Whether it’s a Cabinet meeting with a historic visit by the Queen, or negotiating with other Heads of State around EU treaties. Sam’s your man.

It is an incredible story for a young man born in Beconsfield, brought up by his mother who raised Sam and two siblings on her own on a nurse's salary.

It was clear that Sam was bright at school, but, as he told an OBV audience a few years ago he did receive mentoring which helped him focus on what he might need to do to get a place at Oxford. At Oxford he became the first Black President of it’s Union,  thereafter he did a spell of investment banking before setting up his own company.  What’s interesting about Sam is that whilst it is true that he had many of the educational trappings of someone extremely privileged, however, his real life experiences enable him to have greater empathy with many more people than the ‘privileged elite’.

For example, in the aftermath of the 2011 civil disturbances across the country he was one of the few BME MPs who readily responded to the call for a cross bench conversation with activists, and  others  about how the Black community  should collectively respond.

Now after only a few years in Parliament, Sam Gyimah  is now on the international political stage at the highest level. No doubt he will learn a great deal, and who knows he may be the one to become the UK’s first Black Prime Minister. He's certainly demonstrating all the tools.

But right now  Sam is a good role model for young Black men and women who, like Sam,  despite the limited hand they are dealt with,  they can still aspire to do great things.

Well done Sam!

Simon Woolley