Jo Johnson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Lord Johnson of Marylebone PC
Official portrait, 2024
Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation
In office 24 July 2019 – 5 September 2019
Prime Minister	Boris Johnson
Preceded by	Chris Skidmore
Succeeded by	Chris Skidmore
In office 11 May 2015 – 9 January 2018
Prime Minister	David Cameron Theresa May
Preceded by	Greg Clark
Succeeded by	Sam Gyimah
Minister for London
In office 9 January 2018 – 9 November 2018
Prime Minister	Theresa May
Preceded by	Greg Hands
Succeeded by	Nick Hurd
Minister of State for Transport
In office 9 January 2018 – 9 November 2018
Prime Minister	Theresa May
Preceded by	John Hayes
Succeeded by	Jesse Norman
Minister of State at the Cabinet Office
In office 15 July 2014 – 11 May 2015
Prime Minister	David Cameron
Preceded by	Greg Clark
Succeeded by	Chris Skidmore
Director of the Number 10 Policy Unit
In office 25 April 2013 – 21 May 2015
Prime Minister	David Cameron
Preceded by	Nick Pearce
Succeeded by	Camilla Cavendish
Parliamentary offices Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal Life Peerage 29 October 2020 Member of Parliament for Orpington In office 6 May 2010 – 6 November 2019 Preceded by John Horam Succeeded by Gareth Bacon
Personal details
Born	Joseph Edmund Johnson (1971-12-23) 23 December 1971 (age 53) London, England
Political party	Conservative
Spouse	Amelia Gentleman ​ (m. 2005)​
Children	2
Parents	Stanley Johnson (father) Charlotte Fawcett (mother)
Relatives	Boris Johnson (brother) Rachel Johnson (sister) Julia Johnson (half-sister) Carrie Symonds (sister-in-law) David Gentleman (father-in-law) James Fawcett (grandfather) Edmund Fawcett (uncle) Ali Kemal (great grandfather) Elias Avery Lowe (great grandfather) Helen Tracy Lowe-Porter (great grandmother) Pfeffel family (ancestors)
Education	Balliol College, Oxford (BA) Université libre de Bruxelles INSEAD (MBA)

Joseph Edmund Johnson, also known as Baron Johnson of Marylebone, was born on 23 December 1971. He is a British politician. He served as a government minister and was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Orpington from 2010 to 2019.

He is a member of the Conservative Party. Currently, he is a member of the House of Lords, which is part of the UK Parliament. His older brother, Boris Johnson, was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2022.

Jo Johnson held important roles in government. He was the Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation twice. He also worked as the Minister of State for Transport and Minister for London. In 2013, Prime Minister David Cameron chose him to lead the Number 10 Policy Unit.

He resigned from his government roles in 2018 and 2019. He disagreed with the government's plans for Brexit, which was the UK leaving the European Union. In 2020, he became a member of the House of Lords.

After leaving government, Jo Johnson has focused on how technology can help more people get an education. He works with several organizations that support learning and creative industries. He also returned to working as a journalist for newspapers like the Financial Times.

Early Life and Education

Family Background

Jo Johnson was born in London. He is the youngest of four children. His father, Stanley Johnson, was a politician. His mother, Charlotte Johnson Wahl, was an artist.

His siblings include Boris Johnson, who was Prime Minister. His sister, Rachel Johnson, is a journalist. He also has a brother named Leo.

School and University

Johnson went to several schools, including the European School and Eton College. In 1991, he went to Balliol College, Oxford, to study history. He did very well in his studies.

While at Oxford, he was part of a group called the Bullingdon Club. He also edited Isis, which is a student magazine at Oxford University.

Career in Journalism

After finishing his studies, Jo Johnson first worked as an investment banker. In 1997, he changed his career. He joined the Financial Times, a well-known newspaper.

He worked as a reporter in Paris and then in New Delhi, India. Later, he became an editor for the Financial Times in London. He led the "Lex Column," which is a very important part of financial journalism in Britain.

Johnson also wrote books. One book was about a French businessman. Another book he helped edit was about improving the relationship between Britain and India. He also appeared on TV and radio to talk about India and financial news.

Political Career

Becoming an MP

In 2009, Jo Johnson was chosen to be a candidate for the Conservative Party. He ran for the Member of Parliament seat in Orpington. In the 2010 general election, he won the seat. He won again in the 2015 and 2017 elections.

Working for the Prime Minister

In 2013, Prime Minister David Cameron asked Jo Johnson to lead the Number 10 Policy Unit. This team helps the Prime Minister create new ideas and plans for the government. He also led a special advisory board for Conservative MPs.

Some people were surprised by this appointment. Johnson was seen as more supportive of Europe than many other Conservatives.

Minister for Universities and Science

In 2015, Johnson became the Minister for Universities and Science. This role meant he was in charge of universities and scientific research. Many university leaders were happy about his appointment. They liked that he supported staying in the European Union.

In this role, he helped create a new law called the Higher Education and Research Act 2017. This law changed how universities in England are regulated. It also created a new body called UK Research and Innovation. This body brings together different groups that fund research in the UK.

Minister of Transport

In 2018, Jo Johnson became the Minister of Transport and Minister for London. He was responsible for transport and London-related issues.

Later that year, he resigned from these roles. He said he was unhappy with the government's Brexit plans. He believed the deal was not what was promised. He also wanted a new public vote on Brexit.

Returning to Government

In July 2019, Jo Johnson rejoined the government. His brother, Boris Johnson, had just become Prime Minister. He became the Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation again. This meant he attended important cabinet meetings.

In September 2019, he resigned again. He said he felt "torn between family and national interest." He also announced he would not run for MP again in the next election.

Joining the House of Lords

In July 2020, Jo Johnson was given a special honor. He was made a member of the House of Lords. This means he became Baron Johnson of Marylebone. He gave his first speech in the House of Lords in March 2021.

Personal Life

Jo Johnson lives in London with his wife, Amelia Gentleman. She is a journalist for The Guardian. Her father is the artist David Gentleman. Jo and Amelia have two children.