Bim Afolami facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bim Afolami
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Official portrait, 2020
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| Economic Secretary to the Treasury | |
| In office 13 November 2023 – 5 July 2024 |
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| Prime Minister | Rishi Sunak |
| Preceded by | Andrew Griffith |
| Succeeded by | Tulip Siddiq |
| Member of Parliament for Hitchin and Harpenden |
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| In office 8 June 2017 – 30 May 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Peter Lilley |
| Succeeded by | Constituency abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Abimbola Afolami
11 February 1986 Crowthorne, Berkshire, England |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse | Henrietta (née Jackson-Stops) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Eton College |
| Alma mater | University College, Oxford (BA) |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Solicitor, Banker |
Abimbola "Bim" Afolami (born 11 February 1986) is a British politician. He is a member of the Conservative Party.
He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Hitchin and Harpenden in Hertfordshire. He served as an MP from the 2017 general election until 2024. From 2023 to 2024, he was the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, a role that involves working with the country's money matters.
Early Life and Education
Bim Afolami was born and grew up in Crowthorne, Berkshire. His father, Samuel, is a doctor from Nigeria who moved to the UK.
Bim went to Bishopsgate School, which is a prep school. He then attended Eton College, a famous all-boys independent boarding school. While at school, he was a talented athlete. He won several county championships in running and jumping events. He even competed at a national level.
After school, he studied history at University College, Oxford. At Oxford, he was involved in student life and played football for the university team. Before becoming an MP, he worked as a lawyer and later as a senior executive at a bank called HSBC.
Political Journey
Bim Afolami first tried to become an MP in 2015 for Lewisham Deptford. He came in second place. In the 2016 vote about whether the UK should stay in the European Union, he voted to "Remain."
In 2017, he was chosen to be the Conservative candidate for the Hitchin and Harpenden area. He won the election and became an MP. He has said that Winston Churchill, a former Prime Minister, is his biggest hero.
In 2018, Bim Afolami was chosen as one of the Franco-British Council's Young Leaders. This program helps young people from France and Britain work together. He also joined a group of Conservative MPs called the Conservative Reform Group. This group aims to find new ways to improve the party.
As an MP, Bim Afolami worked in different government departments. He was a parliamentary private secretary (PPS) in the Department for Transport. A PPS helps a minister with their work. He also worked as a PPS for the Secretary of State for International Development and the Secretary of State for International Trade. Later, he was a PPS for the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
In 2021, a law he introduced, the British Library Board (Power to Borrow) Act 2021, became official. This law helps the British Library borrow money.
In 2022, Bim Afolami became the Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party for Youth. This role meant he helped connect young people with the Conservative Party. However, he resigned from this role in July 2022 during a live TV interview.
Bim Afolami has also been involved in groups that support important causes. He was the Chair of a group focused on renewable and sustainable energy. He also chaired a group that helps credit unions, which are like local banks that help people save and borrow money. He is a supporter of several charities, including those that help with health and education in Uganda, and mental health charities in his local area.
In 2024, Bim Afolami ran for MP in the new Hitchin area. However, he lost the election to Alistair Strathern from the Labour Party.
Working as a Minister
In November 2023, Bim Afolami was given an important job as the Economic Secretary to the Treasury. He was also known as the City Minister. This role means he was in charge of financial services in the UK. He was the youngest person ever to hold the City Minister role. Many people in the financial world were happy about his appointment because of his past experience as a lawyer and banker.
Images for kids
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Official portrait, 2020
