SHEERMAN, Barry

Member for Huddersfield since 1983. Committees: Chair, Skills Commission since 2005; Chair, John Clare Education and Environment Trust since 2005; Chair, Cross-Party European Economic Reform since 2005; Chair, Education and Skills Committee since 2001; Member, Liaison Committee since 1999; Secretary, All-Party Design and Innovation Group since 1999; Chair, Cross-Party Euro Preparations Group since 1999; Chair, All-Party Manufacturing Industry Group since 1997; Secretary, All- Party Sustainable Waste Group since 1997; Chair, Networking for Industry since 1996; Chair, Urban Mines since 1995; Chair, Parliamentary Advisory Council on Transport Safety since 1981; Chair, World Bank Business Partnership for Development 2002-04; Chair and Interparliamentary Director, Democracy International; Chair, World Bank Business Partnership for Development Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP). Political career: Chair, Education Committee Education and Skills since 2001, and Education 1999-2001; Shadow Minister for Disability 1992-94; Shadow Minister for Home Affairs 1987-92; Shadow Minister for Education and Employment 1983-87. Special political interests: Education, environment, economy, road safety, political entrepreneurship. Profession/Trade: Social and political entrepreneur; University Lecturer, American Studies, University of Swansea 1966-79. Title/Honours/Decorations: Fellowships: RSA, RGS; Honorary doctorates: Kingston University, Bradford University. Education: Hampton Grammar School; Kingston Technical College; London School of Economics and Political Science, BSc Economics; London School of Economics and Political Science, MSc, Sociology. Languages spoken: French. Affiliations: Trustee, Kingston Rose Theatre; Fellow, Industry and Parliament Trust; Director and Trustee, National Children’s Centre. Co-author of: Harold Laski: A life on the left (1993).
b. 17 August 1940, Sunbury-on-Thames. Married with four children.