POLITICIAN WHO’S HAD A REAL JOB!

Family: Leadsom, 53, is married to Ben, who runs a financial software business. Three children: Fred, 20, Harry, 18, and Charlotte, 12.

Career: Born in Aylesbury and went to Tonbridge Grammar School before reading political science at Warwick University. Started out as a metal trader before joining BZW, which eventually became Barclays Capital. Bosses included Martin Taylor and Bob Diamond. Worked in fund management at De Putron before becoming chief investor officer at Invesco Perpetual 19992009. Elected as Tory MP for South Northamptonshire in 2010. Served on Treasury Select Committee, appointed City Minister in 2014 and is Minister of State at the Department of Energy.

Working day: Up at 6.30am. Breakfast is organic granola or fruit. Grabs a coffee from Pret in Westminster and jumps on the tube with her daughter and takes her to school, a task which she alternates with husband Ben. Gets there about 8am and then heads off to Commons or Whitehall. Usually meets formally with fellow DECC ministers once a week. Otherwise in Westminster at her Parliamentary office. On Mondays, she catches the train at Milton Keynes after leaving her 17th century Northamptonshire farmhouse.

Formative experience: Break-up of her parent’s marriage. ‘I’m the middle of three sisters. My mother divorced when I was four so she brought us up while trying to train as a nurse at Great Ormond St. She raised us to believe the world doesn’t owe you a living.

Favourite things: Film – Four Weddings and a Funeral which she watches at least once a year. Book – Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith but loves the classic Australian children’s book Where’s the Wombat which she has read to all her children. Enjoys visiting the local pubs around her home village.