Lord Baker of Dorking

Biographical Information
"Kenneth Baker was a Conservative Member of Parliament from 1968 to 1997. He held a number of senior positions in Mrs. Thatcher's Government, including that of Britain's first Minister for Information Technology, when he introduced computers into schools; Minister for Local Government; Secretary of State for the Environment, where he privatised BT, Secretary of State for Education and Science, where he was responsible for introducing the National Curriculum, tests and league tables, Grant Maintained Schools, City Technology Colleges, and Student Loans. He was also Chairman of the Conservative Party. In November 1990 he was appointed Home Secretary. He left the Government after the 1992 election and was appointed a Companion of Honour. He became a member of the House of Lords in 1997.

"As co-founder of the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, Lord Baker is leading the introduction of University Technical Colleges (UTCs), which aim to offer 14-19 year olds the opportunity to take a technically-orientated course at a specialist college sponsored by a university or FE college, with progression routes into higher education or further learning at work. Edge is supporting this initiative, which will provide new practical and vocational learning opportunities for young people. There are currently around 15 UTCs being planned at sites including Aston and Walsall.

"Lord Baker is a non-executive director of Genting Plc and Chairman of Graphite Resources. He is a member of the European Advisory Board of the American investment house Cross Border Enterprises and Chairman of Trilantic Capital European Merchant Banking Advisory Council. He is President of The Royal London Society for the Blind; a Trustee of the Baker Dearing Educational Foundation and The Booker Prize Foundation; and, Vice-Chairman of The Cartoon Museum. "

Affiliations

 * Chair, University Technical Colleges
 * Chair, Edge Foundation (Edexcel)
 * Educational Advisor, Bright Tribe

Related Sourcewatch

 * Political Art APPG