Simon Hamilton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Simon Hamilton
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| Economy Minister of Northern Ireland | |
| In office 25 May 2016 – 26 January 2017 |
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| First Minister | Arlene Foster |
| Preceded by | Jonathan Bell |
| Succeeded by | Diane Dodds (2020) |
| Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety | |
| In office 11 May 2015 – 6 May 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Wells |
| Succeeded by | Michelle O'Neill |
| Minister of Finance and Personnel | |
| In office 29 July 2013 – 11 May 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Sammy Wilson |
| Succeeded by | Arlene Foster |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Strangford |
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| In office 7 March 2007 – 2 September 2019 |
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| Preceded by | George Ennis |
| Succeeded by | Harry Harvey |
| Member of Ards Borough Council |
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| In office 5 May 2005 – 5 May 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Hamilton Lawther |
| Succeeded by | Naomi Armstrong |
| Constituency | Newtownards |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 March 1977 Newtownards, Northern Ireland |
| Political party | Democratic Unionist Party (until 2019) |
| Spouse | Nicki |
| Children | Lewis Kyle |
| Residences | Comber, Northern Ireland |
| Alma mater | Queen's University Belfast |
| Website | Official website: http://www.simonhamilton.org |
Simon Hamilton, born on March 17, 1977, is a businessman and consultant from Northern Ireland. He used to be a politician with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Simon Hamilton served as the Minister for the Economy in the Northern Ireland Executive from 2016 until early 2017. He was also a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the area of Strangford from 2007 to 2019.
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Simon Hamilton's Early Life and Education
Simon Hamilton went to Regent House School. After that, he studied at Queen's University Belfast. He earned degrees in history, politics, and law. While at university, he was the Chairman of the Queen's Unionist Association. He was also a member of the Queen's University Senate, which helps run the university.
Simon Hamilton's Career in Politics
Starting in Local Government
Simon Hamilton began his career as an auditor for an accounting company in Belfast. From 2003, he worked for the DUP as a Policy Officer. This job involved helping to create the party's plans and ideas.
In 2005, he was elected to the Ards Borough Council. This meant he helped make decisions for the local area. He did not run for re-election in 2011. He also held important roles within the DUP in his local area. He was the secretary for the Strangford DUP Association. He was also the vice-chairman of the Newtownards DUP Branch.
Serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA)
In 2007, Simon Hamilton was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). He represented the Strangford area. MLAs are like elected representatives who make laws for Northern Ireland. He served as an MLA until 2019.
Ministerial Roles in Northern Ireland
Simon Hamilton held several important jobs as a minister in the Northern Ireland government.
Minister of Finance and Personnel
On July 29, 2013, he became the Minister of Finance and Personnel. He took over from Sammy Wilson. In this role, he was in charge of how the government spent its money and managed its staff.
Minister of Health
Later, on May 11, 2015, he was appointed the Health Minister of Northern Ireland. This meant he was responsible for healthcare services. He resigned from this position a few times in late 2015. This happened during a difficult political time at Stormont, the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Minister for the Economy
From May 2016, Simon Hamilton served as the Minister for the Economy. In this role, he worked on improving business and jobs in Northern Ireland. He held this position until the Northern Ireland government stopped working in January 2017.
Moving to Business
In June 2019, Simon Hamilton announced he was leaving politics. He became the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce. This organization helps businesses in Belfast grow and succeed. To take on this new role, he also left the DUP political party.
