Neil Carmichael - MP for Stroud

About Neil Carmichael

Neil, his wife Laurence, and their three children moved to Stroud in 1999. They live in Park End, Paganhill, on the edge of Stroud. The children attend local schools (Marling and the High School) and Laurence is a Research Fellow in the Faculty of the Built Environment at the University of West of England. Neil studied politics at the University of Nottingham.

Before entering Parliament, Neil worked in business and agriculture. He spent many years developing business in Poland with a specific focus on regeneration and he was involved in projects in several sectors including healthcare, social care and local government. He also spent three years as a visiting lecturer at two universities, teaching under-graduate courses in politics.

As a farmer, Neil produced lamb and beef in Northumberland. He took an early interest in woodland management and has, over the years, planted and managed a number of plantations. He continues to be actively involved in looking after the environment.

Some of Neil's hobbies are derived from agriculture; he is currently refurbishing a Massey Ferguson 135 tractor. He is also enjoys gardening and walks in the countryside. 

Over the years, Neil has been involved in a variety of community activities, including serving as chair of a charity providing day care for adults with learning disabilities. He has been a governor of a number of schools and colleges, having recently been chair of governors at Marling School and he remains a governor of Stroud College.

He enjoys his time in the kitchen and is a dab hand at roasting meat, favourites are pork and beef and cooking vegetables which he grows himself. He won the award for the best potatoes at the Crown and Sceptre festival at this year's event. His favourite biscuit is the chocolate hob nob which despite being a great biscuit did not hold him in good stead in the Meningitis Trust Great Dunkoff early in 2011. In competition with Jason Chare, Editor of Stroud Life, the hob nob was found to be wanting in dunkability compared to the shortbread.

Neil is always keen to support local industry and in particular support the role of local pubs and breweries. Never one to miss an opportunity, he has sponsored his own beer produced by the Nailsworth Brewery, which he took to the House of Commons and was sold out in two days. Neil is also very passionate about education, and manufacturing and engineering which is why he is running the Festival of Manufacturing and Engineering - please look at the 'Projects and the Festival' page to find out more.