Simon Antony Henig CBE (born June 1969) is a British politician, former leader of Durham County Council, and since 15 April 2014, chair of the North East Combined Authority (NECA).
Simon Henig | |
|---|---|
| Born | Simon Antony Henig June 1969 (age 55) Lancaster, England |
| Education | Lancaster Royal Grammar School |
| Alma mater | Corpus Christi College, Oxford |
| Spouse | Katherine Henig |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Mark Henig (grandfather) |
Early life
editSimon Henig was born in June 1969,[1] the son of the former Labour MP and Lancaster council leader Stanley Henig,[2] and the historian Ruth Henig. Simon's grandfather, Sir Mark Henig, served as Lord Mayor of Leicester and led the English Tourist Board.[3] He was educated at Moorside Primary School, Lancaster, Lancaster Royal Grammar School and Corpus Christi College, Oxford.[2][4]
Career
editPolitics
editIn 1999, Henig was first elected as a councillor in the County Durham town of Chester-le-Street.[3]
From 2001 to 2008, Henig was the agent for North Durham CLP, and chair of the North East Regional Board.[5] In 2007, Henig was runner-up to be the Labour candidate to replace Tony Blair as MP for Sedgefield.[3]
From May 2008 until May 2021, Henig was Leader of Durham County Council.[4] In 2013, Henig led his local Labour Party to a substantially increased majority and a council group of 94, the largest in the UK, although that was reduced to 74 in 2017.[6] He is the chair of the Association of Labour Councillors.[5] Henig is chair of the County Durham Partnership Board, a member of Labour's National Policy Forum and Chair of the Regional Board.[4]
Henig was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours.[7]
Academia
editHenig is a lecturer in politics at the University of Sunderland, specialising in psephology, the branch of political science which deals with the study and scientific analysis of elections.[2]
Publications
editHenig's publications include The Political Map of Britain, Politico's Guides to the 2005 and 2010 General Elections and Women and Political Power: Europe since 1945.[8]
Personal life
editHenig's wife Katherine was also a Labour councillor, but lost her seat in 2017. She was first elected in 2013, when she took the ward of Chester-le-Street South from the Liberal Democrats.[9] The couple have two children and live in Chester-le-Street.[4] Henig's interests include travel, football and cricket.[4]
References
edit- ^ "Association of North East Councils". Companies House. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
- ^ a b c Fearn, Hannah (25 March 2015). "The 'super-council' leader making friends across the north-east". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
- ^ a b c "Big role in Durham". The Jewish Chronicle. 23 April 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ a b c d e "ANEC Vice Chair – Councillor Simon Henig". Northeastcouncils. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ a b "Simon Antony Henig". YourBritain. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
- ^ "Henig, Cllr Simon". Local Government Association. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
- ^ "No. 61450". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 2015. p. N9.
- ^ "Dr Simon Henig". University of Sunderland. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
- ^ "Lib Dems lose seat to council leader's wife as Labour batter opposition to retain control of Durham". Sunderland Echo. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2015.