David Johnston

David Johnston was elected as the Conservative MP for Wantage in 2019, following a career centred on social mobility and education. In 2009 Johnston joined the Social Mobility Foundation and enjoyed a decade-long tenure as its chief executive, during which he oversaw an unprecedented period of growth for the charity. From its origins as a small organisation of three employees, the foundation has since expanded its operations to incorporate seven offices around the UK and it now supports over 7000 young people through its flagship Aspiring Professionals Programme. Johnston received an OBE in 2018 for his services to social mobility and education, having also spent five years on the Social Mobility Commission between 2012 and 2017 and acted as governor for a number of educational institutions. As might be expected, Johnston co-chairs the all-party parliamentary group on social mobility and is also a member of the equivalent group on foreign affairs. Most notably, he shares an enthusiasm for ‘the beautiful game’ as a prominent member of the all-party parliamentary football club group, whose stated purpose is “to play football and raise money for charity”.