Career Timeline of Penny Mordaunt: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Penny Mordaunt made an impact.

Penny Mordaunt is a former British Conservative politician who served as Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (2022-2024). She was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Portsmouth North from 2010 to 2024. Mordaunt unsuccessfully ran for Conservative party leadership twice in 2022, losing to Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. In the 2024 general election, she lost her seat to Labour's Amanda Martin.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1997: Communications Specialist for Freight Transport Association

From 1997 to 1999, Penny Mordaunt worked as a communications specialist for the Freight Transport Association (now Logistics UK).

1999: Head of Broadcasting for the Conservatives

From 1999 to 2001, Penny Mordaunt was Head of Broadcasting for the Conservatives under party leader William Hague.

2000: Head of Foreign Press for Bush Campaign

In 2000, Penny Mordaunt briefly worked as Head of Foreign Press for George W. Bush's presidential campaign.

2000: Worked on Bush Presidential Campaign

In 2000, Penny Mordaunt worked for George W. Bush's presidential campaign.

2001: Head of Broadcasting for the Conservatives

From 1999 to 2001, Penny Mordaunt was Head of Broadcasting for the Conservatives under party leader William Hague.

2001: Communications Director for Kensington and Chelsea

From 2001 to 2003, Penny Mordaunt was Communications Director for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

November 2003: Selected as Conservative Candidate

In November 2003, Penny Mordaunt was selected as the Conservative candidate to contest Portsmouth North in the 2005 general election.

2003: Worked for the Big Lottery Fund

From 2003 to 2005, Penny Mordaunt worked for the Big Lottery Fund.

2003: Left Kensington and Chelsea Council

In 2003, Penny Mordaunt left her position as Communications Director for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

2004: Director of Media Intelligence Partners

From 2004 to 2006, Penny Mordaunt was a director of Media Intelligence Partners and worked for the Bush campaign again in 2004.

2004: Worked on Bush Presidential Campaign

In 2004, Penny Mordaunt worked for George W. Bush's presidential campaign.

2005: Worked for the Big Lottery Fund

From 2003 to 2005, Penny Mordaunt worked for the Big Lottery Fund.

2005: Lost Election in Portsmouth North

In 2005, Penny Mordaunt contested Portsmouth North but lost to Labour candidate Sarah McCarthy-Fry.

January 2006: Re-selected to Contest Portsmouth North

In January 2006, Penny Mordaunt was re-selected to contest Portsmouth North at the 2010 general election.

2006: Director at Diabetes UK

In 2006, Penny Mordaunt became one of six directors at charity Diabetes UK, a role she held until 2009.

2009: Ended Role at Diabetes UK

Penny Mordaunt's role as a director at charity Diabetes UK ended in 2009.

2010: Mordaunt advocates for funding of homeopathy

In 2010, Penny Mordaunt advocated for the British National Health Service (NHS) to fund homeopathy, signing a Parliamentary Early Day Motion supporting its effectiveness and calling for continued referrals to homeopathic doctors.

2010: Mordaunt joins Royal Naval Reserve

In 2010, Penny Mordaunt became a member of the Royal Naval Reserve, serving as an acting sub-lieutenant based at HMS King Alfred on Whale Island, Portsmouth, until 2015.

2010: Election as MP for Portsmouth North

In 2010, Penny Mordaunt was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Portsmouth North.

2010: Elected to the House of Commons

In 2010, Penny Mordaunt was elected to the House of Commons at the general election.

2010: Won Seat in Portsmouth North

In 2010, Penny Mordaunt won the seat for Portsmouth North with an 8.6% swing from Labour.

2013: Commons Speech on Poultry Welfare

In 2013, Penny Mordaunt delivered a speech in the House of Commons on poultry welfare.

2014: Member of Public Bill Committee

After her election in 2010, in 2014 she became a member of the Public Bill Committee for the Defence Reform Act 2014.

2014: Appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

From 2014 to 2015, Penny Mordaunt served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Decentralisation under David Cameron's coalition government.

2014: Mordaunt appears on Splash!

In 2014, Penny Mordaunt appeared on the reality television program Splash!. She defended her appearance and donated her £10,000 fee to charity, including the renovation of her local lido.

May 2015: Mordaunt Placed onto Reserve 'List 6'

In May 2015 Penny Mordaunt was placed onto Reserve 'List 6', a category for personnel unable to meet any training commitment in excess of a year; she had "no annual training commitment and received no remuneration" from the Royal Navy during this time.

May 2015: Appointed Minister of State for the Armed Forces

In May 2015, Penny Mordaunt was appointed Minister of State for the Armed Forces, becoming the first woman to hold the post.

2015: Promoted to Minister of State for the Armed Forces

Following the 2015 general election, David Cameron promoted Penny Mordaunt to Minister of State for the Armed Forces, making her the first woman to hold the post.

2015: Re-elected as MP for Portsmouth North

In 2015, Penny Mordaunt was re-elected as the MP for Portsmouth North with an increased majority.

July 2016: Appointed Minister of State for Disabled People

In July 2016, Penny Mordaunt was appointed Minister of State for Disabled People, Work and Health at the Department for Work and Pensions.

2016: Supported Brexit

In 2016, Penny Mordaunt supported Brexit in the referendum on EU membership.

November 2017: Promoted to Secretary of State

On 9 November 2017, Penny Mordaunt was promoted to the Cabinet as Secretary of State for International Development.

2017: Re-elected as MP for Portsmouth North

In 2017, Penny Mordaunt was re-elected as the MP for Portsmouth North with a decreased majority.

2017: Appointed Secretary of State for International Development

In 2017, following Priti Patel's resignation, Penny Mordaunt was appointed Secretary of State for International Development.

April 2018: Appointed Minister for Women and Equalities

In April 2018, Penny Mordaunt became Minister for Women and Equalities, replacing Amber Rudd.

July 2018: Used Sign Language in the House of Commons

In July 2018, Penny Mordaunt became the first minister to use sign language in the House of Commons.

2018: Served as Minister for Women and Equalities

From 2018 to 2019, Penny Mordaunt served as Minister for Women and Equalities.

April 2019: Mordaunt leaves the Royal Naval Reserve and is granted honorary rank

In April 2019, Penny Mordaunt left the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) and was granted the honorary rank of commander.

May 2019: Appointed Secretary of State for Defence

In May 2019, Penny Mordaunt was appointed Secretary of State for Defence, becoming the first woman to hold the post.

July 2019: Sacked as Defence Secretary

On 24 July 2019, Penny Mordaunt was sacked as Defence Secretary by Boris Johnson.

2019: Served as Minister for Women and Equalities

From 2018 to 2019, Penny Mordaunt served as Minister for Women and Equalities.

2019: Increased Majority in General Election

In 2019, Penny Mordaunt increased her majority in the general election, winning 61.4% of the vote.

February 2020: Re-entered Government

In February 2020, Penny Mordaunt re-entered the Government, joining the Cabinet Office as Paymaster General.

February 2020: Re-entered Government as Paymaster General

In the February 2020 reshuffle, Penny Mordaunt re-entered government as Paymaster General.

June 2020: Mordaunt proposes trade and research vessels

In June 2020, Penny Mordaunt proposed a pair of ships specializing in trade, research, and humanitarian work, funded by private, research, commercial, and charitable sources with the UK's Overseas Development Assistance budget. These vessels could also serve as accommodation for the royal family, effectively replacing the Royal Yacht Britannia.

June 2020: Mordaunt suggests service personnel for war memorial vandals

In June 2020, Penny Mordaunt suggested that those found guilty of vandalizing war memorials should spend time with service personnel at a battle camp to gain appreciation for their sacrifices.

June 2021: Mordaunt promoted to honorary captain

On June 30, 2021, Penny Mordaunt was promoted to honorary captain in the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR).

2021: Appointed Minister of State for Trade Policy

In 2021, Penny Mordaunt was appointed Minister of State for Trade Policy.

July 2022: Entered Leadership Contest

In July 2022, Penny Mordaunt entered the leadership contest to succeed Boris Johnson but was eliminated.

July 2022: Mordaunt launches leadership bid

In July 2022, Penny Mordaunt launched her bid to become the next Conservative Leader and UK Prime Minister following Boris Johnson's resignation. Her initial promotional video faced criticism for featuring footage of Oscar Pistorius, and later required edits to remove footage of Jonnie Peacock and Jo Cox following requests.

July 2022: Mordaunt answers question about gender

In July 2022, Penny Mordaunt responded to the question "Do I know what a woman is?" by writing on Twitter: "I am biologically a woman. If I have a hysterectomy or mastectomy, I am still a woman. And I am legally a woman. Some people born male and who have been through the gender recognition process are also legally female. That DOES NOT mean they are biological women, like me."

August 2022: Mordaunt supports Liz Truss

In August 2022, Penny Mordaunt declared her support for Liz Truss in the final round of the Conservative Party leadership contest after being eliminated in the fifth round on July 20.

September 2022: Appointed Leader of the House of Commons

On 6 September 2022, Penny Mordaunt was appointed Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council.

October 2022: Second Bid for Leadership

In October 2022, Penny Mordaunt made a second bid to become Conservative leader and prime minister but withdrew after failing to gain sufficient endorsements.

October 2022: Mordaunt Loses Leadership Bid

In October 2022, Penny Mordaunt ran for the Conservative Party leadership but lost to Rishi Sunak.

October 2022: Mordaunt withdraws from leadership election

In October 2022, following Liz Truss's resignation, Penny Mordaunt withdrew from the Conservative Party leadership election after failing to secure enough nominations. She later tweeted her withdrawal and issued a statement. Rishi Sunak became Leader unopposed, and Mordaunt was re-appointed to her role.

May 2023: Coronation of Charles III and Camilla

In May 2023, Penny Mordaunt participated in the coronation of Charles III and Camilla, presenting the Jewelled Sword of Offering as Lord President of the Privy Council, becoming the first woman to do so. She wore a custom teal cape dress and headpiece embroidered with golden ferns. Her performance and outfit became viral online, receiving praise. She attributed her strength to navy training and disclosed taking painkillers before the ceremony.

February 2024: Re-selected as Conservative Candidate

In February 2024, Penny Mordaunt was re-selected as the Conservative candidate for Portsmouth North at the 2024 general election.

May 2024: Mordaunt warns of conspiracy theories

In May 2024, Penny Mordaunt's office issued a guide warning that conspiracy theories 'can pose a danger to democracy', and included the '15-minute cities' conspiracy theory.