Justine Greening: Leadership at the Heart of Government

Justine Greening served in UK Government during a period of profound political and economic change, holding senior roles across Education, International Development and Transport, alongside positions at the Treasury and as Minister for Women and Equalities. Her ministerial career placed her at the centre of decision-making on national infrastructure, public finances, global development and social reform.

Before entering politics, Justine built a successful career in finance and industry. Having studied Business Economics and Accounting, she worked at pwc, GSK and Centrica, and later completed an MBA at London Business School. This commercial grounding proved invaluable when she joined Chancellor George Osborne’s Treasury team as Economic Secretary to the Treasury, where she played a key role in delivering the 2010 emergency budget.

From Transport and the Olympics to Global Development

Rapidly promoted by Prime Minister David Cameron, Justine became Secretary of State for Transport. In this role, she delivered the transport strategy that underpinned the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, working closely with the then Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. Her work ensured the smooth delivery of one of the UK’s most complex infrastructure and logistics challenges.

Justine then moved to the Department for International Development, overseeing the UK’s global development programmes. She led the UK’s humanitarian response to the Ebola crisis and the Syria refugee emergency, while also shaping long-term development policy. During this time, she was a leading architect of the Sustainable Development Goals, served on the UK National Security Council, represented the UK on the Board of the World Bank and chaired the UN Security Council. She was also appointed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to the High Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment, reflecting her influence on global equality and economic inclusion.

Education, Social Mobility and Opportunity

Education was always central to Justine Greening’s mission. Describing it as her ‘dream job’, she became Secretary of State for Education in Theresa May’s government and the first comprehensive-educated politician to hold the role. She led the department’s work on skills, opportunity and social mobility, placing fairness and access at the heart of education policy.

Under her leadership, the Department for Education launched its first Social Mobility Action Plan, embedding the principle that where you start in life should not determine where you finish. Her work focused on improving outcomes for young people, strengthening skills pathways and addressing long-standing inequalities in opportunity.

Purpose, Business and Systemic Change

After stepping out of Cabinet, Justine launched the Social Mobility Pledge, bringing together employers committed to improving opportunity and progression within their organisations. Since leaving Parliament, she has become a leading campaigner for social mobility and purpose-led business.

She founded the Purpose Coalition, which works with major employers, universities and local authorities to improve opportunity outcomes on the ground and measure real impact. Through this work, Justine convenes leaders across business, education and government to drive systemic change and embed purpose into strategy, culture and operations.

Book Justine Greening for Your Event

Today, Justine Greening is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and commentator on leadership, equality of opportunity, economics and geopolitics. She speaks with authority on how purpose can reshape organisations and economies, and how collaboration between sectors can deliver lasting progress.

Drawing on experience at the highest levels of politics, global institutions and business, Justine offers audiences practical insight into leadership under pressure, navigating uncertainty and creating fairer systems that work for everyone. She also speaks on the evolving landscape of geopolitics and geoeconomics, shaped by her time in international development and global diplomacy.

A familiar face across major broadcast platforms, including Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Any Questions, Question Time and BBC Context, Justine brings clarity, credibility and inspiration to every stage. Booking Justine Greening for your event means engaging with a speaker who combines strategic depth, lived leadership experience and a powerful commitment to opportunity and purpose.