Giles Chichester - MEP

PERSONAL 
Born 29th July 1946, of a North Devon family. Married 1979 Virginia, a postgraduate at Exeter University 1967-68 and Probation Officer 1968-81. Son George born 1981. Daughter Jessica born 1984. Son Charles born 1990.

EDUCATION
Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford.  
MA (Hons) in Geography.

BUSINESS
Since 1969 worked in family business Francis Chichester Ltd (publishers of maps, guides and educational wallcharts) founded by father  Sir Francis Chichester KBE

Director of Guildford Timber Co.Ltd since 1975 and Silverstream Forests Ltd New Zealand (forestry and real estate) since 1986 .

POLITICS

Member of the European Parliament for the South West 1999-2004 and 2004-to date.

MEP for Devon and East Plymouth 1994-99

Parliamentary
Centre Right EPP-ED Co-ordinator - Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy Committee .  Chairman Industry, Research and Energy Committee of  European Parliament 2004 - to date.  Member Inter-Parliamentary Delegation for relations with Australia and New Zealand. 
Chairman 1979 Backbench Committee of Conservative MEPs 1997-98. 
Conservative MEPs Treasurer 1998-2001 and 2002 -2004.
Chairman Conservative Enterprise Europe 1999 - 2004.

Elections
Campaign Assistant to Sir Gerard Vaughan MP, Reading East, 1992.
Personal Assistant to Lord Tebbit CH, in his capacity as Chairman of the Party Organisation, throughout the 1987 General Election campaign. Contested Fulham Parliamentary Constituency ILEA Election 1986. Contested Hammersmith & Fulham Borough Council Election 1986.

In the Party
St. James's Ward Cttee, Westminster 1975-88 (Chairman 1982-84) 1989-96.
Chairman Hammersmith Conservative Association 1984-87.
Chairman London West European Constituency Council 1987-88.
Conservative National Union Executive Committee 1988-90 and 1997-98.
Greater London CPC Advisory Committee 1984-91, GP Committee 1989-91.
Co-opted member CPC National Advisory Committee 1987-90 and 1994-97.
General Council of Conservative Group for Europe, 1991-95.
President - Western Area CPC Advisory Committee 1995-98.

General
Chairman Carlton Club Political Committee 1992-95 (Hon Secretary 1988-92). Chairman Foreign Affairs Forum 1987-90 (Hon Treasurer 1985-87). Founder Chairman Small Business Bureau, Westminster Branch, 1983-88.
President European Energy Forum 2004 - to date.
Vice-President European Energy Foundation 1995-2004.
Council of Air League 1995-2000.
Executive Council Member Parliamentary Group for Energy Studies 1994 to date.  Vice-President - Intergroup on Complementary Medicines 1995-1999.
Council of EURIM 1995-97 and 2000-2004, Parliamentary Member of the Managing Council 2006 -
European Parliamentary Advocate for Royal British Legion 1999-. 
First Vice-President Ciel et Espace (Aerospace) Intergroup 2001-2004.

VOLUNTARY

Chairman Dr Edwards' and Bishop Kings' Estate Charity 1990-93. 
Trustee Hammersmith United Charities (Caring for the Elderly) 1985-95. 
Chairman St James's Place Association (Conservation/Environment) 1980-. 
Primary School Governor Tower Hamlets 1983-86, and Hammersmith 1983-2000. 
Founder Trustee 6s and 7s Club (Fund-raising for Rowing) 1980-.  
Trustee Sir Francis Chichester Trust 1996-.

GENERAL

Travelled widely. Sailed across North Atlantic 1962, 1964, 1978 1979, 1981 (twice) and 1993, and South Indian Ocean 1979.  Rowed for England in VIIIs 1970. Fellow of Royal Geographical Society. Member of Royal Institute of Navigation.  Wrote pamphlet 'Living with Nuclear Energy' 1988.