Michael Heseltine Biography and Timeline

Birth of Michael Heseltine

Born in Swansea, South Wales, into a relatively prosperous middle-class family.

City of Oxford Conservative Association

Joins the City of Oxford Conservative Association while developing his political interests as an undergraduate.

Oxford Union Membership

Joins the Oxford Union on arriving at Oxford and becomes heavily involved in student debating and politics.

Pembroke College Oxford

Enters Pembroke College, Oxford, where he studies Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

Blue Ribbon Club

Helps establish the Blue Ribbon Club, a Conservative student group whose emblem links the United States, Commonwealth and Europe.

Oxford Union Committee

Wins election to the Oxford Union standing committee and develops experience in political organisation and debate.

Oxford Union President

Is elected President of the Oxford Union for Michaelmas term after earlier service as secretary and treasurer.

Oxford Union Treasurer

Serves as Oxford Union treasurer and pursues a growth strategy intended to increase membership and revenue rather than rely only on spending cuts.

Accountancy Training

Begins accountancy articles with Peat Marwick & Mitchell while also developing property interests in London.

Michian Property Business

Forms the property venture Michian with Oxford friend Ian Josephs, combining their first names in the company name.

Thurston Court Hotel Investment

Uses inherited capital and borrowing with Ian Josephs to acquire a lease on the Thurston Court Hotel property near Notting Hill.

Early Property Profit

Sells an early London property investment at a profit, increasing the capital available for further property purchases.

Inverness Terrace Property

Expands the property venture by acquiring houses in Inverness Terrace, Bayswater, for conversion into a larger boarding-house operation.

Cornmarket Press Venture

Joins Clive Labovitch in the publishing venture that becomes Cornmarket Press and later develops into Haymarket.

Directory of Opportunities for Graduates

The publishing venture produces the Directory of Opportunities for Graduates, its early business publication aimed at graduate recruitment.

Man About Town Acquisition

The publishing business acquires Man About Town and develops the title into a more ambitious men's magazine.

Welsh Guards National Service

Undertakes National Service in the Welsh Guards after postponing military service while establishing his business career.

Marriage to Anne Williams

Marries Anne Harding Williams, who later shares his long-term work developing Thenford House and its gardens.

Haymarket Formation

The publishing company is reorganised under the Haymarket name after investment by its printer.

Management Today

Haymarket develops Management Today as an important business publication during the expansion of its specialist magazine portfolio.

Campaign Magazine

Haymarket launches Campaign, strengthening its position in specialist publishing for the advertising and marketing industries.

Accountancy Age

Haymarket launches Accountancy Age, adding a successful specialist business title to its expanding professional publishing portfolio.

European Community Referendum

Supports Britain's continued membership of the European Community during the 1975 referendum era as part of his long-standing pro-European Conservatism.

Thenford Agricultural Land

Adds more than 400 acres of agricultural land around Thenford to the horticultural and agricultural assets associated with Haymarket.

Thenford House Purchase

Michael and Anne Heseltine purchase Thenford House and begin the long-term restoration of its house, woodland and gardens.

Appointment

Appointed Secretary of State for Environment.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1983

Housing and Local Government

Speaks in the Commons on housing and local government shortly after taking office.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1983

Ministerial Responsibilities

Answers a parliamentary question on the responsibilities of the Department of the Environment.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1983

Public Sector Land

Answers a parliamentary question concerning public-sector land.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1983

Wildlife Policy

Answers a parliamentary question concerning wildlife policy within his departmental responsibilities.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1983

Planning Inquiries

Answers a parliamentary question on the operation of planning inquiries.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1983

Inner City Policy

Answers a parliamentary question on inner-city policy.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1983

Local Authority Expenditure

Addresses Commons questions on local-authority expenditure.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1983

Local Authority Representatives

Answers Commons questions concerning relations with local-authority representatives.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1983

Urban Partnership Schemes

Addresses Commons questions on urban partnership schemes.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1983

London Docklands

Answers parliamentary questions concerning redevelopment of London Docklands.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1983

Radioactive Waste Disposal

Answers a parliamentary question concerning radioactive-waste disposal.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1983

Home Ownership Finance

Answers a parliamentary question concerning finance for home ownership.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1983

Rate Support Grant

Takes part in Commons proceedings concerning the rate support grant.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1983

Anti-waste Programme

Addresses Commons questions on the Department's anti-waste programme.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1983