Mark was born in June 1962 in Cornwall. He was educated at Truro School, Cornwall. He went on to the University of Reading, where he graduated in 1983, with a BSc (Hons) in Land Management.
After graduating from University in 1983, Mark worked in the property & economic development markets, rising to become a director of a £3m practice. In 1991 he left to form his own strategic marketing and communication consultancy, serving professional firms in both the UK and overseas. As a self employed businessman and company director between 1991-2001, Mark advised a wide range of professional firms in the markets for property, construction and environmental services both in the UK and abroad. Mark specialised in providing strategic marketing and communication advice and support.
In his spare time Mark watches rugby and cricket, and is a member of Saracens RFC and Middlesex CCC. He also enjoys singing, playing the piano and going to the Theatre. When in the constituency he enjoys walking in the beautiful countryside in East Hertfordshire.
Mark Prisk's Experience
Mark was elected to the House of Commons in June 2001, as the Member of Parliament for Hertford & Stortford. A Conservative Party member for over 20 years, Mark has led many local and national campaigns and elections, and had stood for Parliament twice before, in 1992 and 1997.
During the cruise missile crisis in the 1980s, Mark was at the forefront of campaigns supporting NATO, and against the anti-nuclear movement, first as vice chairman of the Federation of Conservative Students and then as the founding chairman of the cross-party Youth for Peace through NATO.
As a former freelancer, he now takes a close interest in the self-employed and small businesses. He is Vice Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Small Business Group, Chairman of the East Hertfordshire Business Forum, and Honorary Vice President of the Small Business Bureau. Mark has been proactive in Parliament fighting the red tape wrapped around small businesses.
Defence and foreign affairs are of particular interest to Mark, who is presently Vice President of the First Defence policy group.
In November 2002, Mark was appointed Shadow Financial Secretary. In November 2003, he became Shadow Minister for Economic Affairs. In November 2004, he became an Opposition Whip. Since December 2005, he has been Shadow Minister for Business & Enterprise.