Chris McDonald (politician) explained

Office:Member of Parliament
for Stockton North
Predecessor:Alex Cunningham
Term Start:4 July 2024
Majority:7,939 (21.2%)
Birth Place:Hartlepool
Party:Labour
Alma Mater:Warwick (MBA)
Cambridge (Msc)

Chris McDonald (born) is a British Labour Party politician, chemical engineer and former business executive, who has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Stockton North since 2024. Between 2014 and 2024, McDonald was the CEO of the Materials Processing Institute, after leading its divestment from Tata Steel.

Early life

Chris McDonald was born in Hartlepool, and grew up in Blackhall.[1]

Industrial career

McDonald first worked at British Steel, before they sponsored him to read Chemical Engineering at the University of Cambridge. Upon graduating, he worked in various roles in the steel industry, but focused on research.[2]

In 2008, McDonald became a laboratory manager within the research division of Tata Steel.[3]

In 2014, McDonald led the divestment of Tata Steel UK's research and development centre in Grangetown, which would form the independent Materials Processing Institute, becoming it's CEO.[4] In 2016, he launched the Institute's commercial steel-making operation from its facility on Teesside.[5] [6] [7]

In 2018, McDonald appeared on BBC Radio 4 Today, to discuss the future of the British steel industry.[8] [9] [10] [11] [12] As CEO of the Materials Processing Institute, McDonald helped secure a £3 million investment from the Tees Valley Growth Deal to build the Institute's SME Technology Centre.[13] He has also oversaw the development of a doctoral academy at the Institute, "The Millman Scholarships".[14]

He is a fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers,[15] the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, the Royal Geographical Society,[16] and Royal Academy of Engineering.[17] [18]

Politics

In March 2023, McDonald was selected as Parliamentary candidate for Labour in the 2024 election for the constituency of Stockton North, to replace Alex Cunningham, who had announced he was standing down.[19] [20] On being selected, he said his two main priorities were "creating opportunities for young people" and transitioning industry, particularly in Billingham, "to [a] green industry"[21] At the election he came first with a majority of 7,939 over second place Reform.[22] [23]

Personal life

McDonald plays the cornet in a brass band.[24]

Notes and References

  1. News: Lightfoot . Gareth . Hartlepool-born businessman Chris McDonald selected by Labour to fight Billingham seat at next General Election . 16 July 2024 . Hartlepool Mail . 9 March 2023.
  2. News: Hughes . Mike . Chris McDonald of MPI in Middlesbrough gives Hatfield Lecture . 8 March 2023 . The Northern Echo . 7 December 2022.
  3. News: Hughes . Mike . Chris McDonald of MPI: Out of the furnace and into politics . 3 November 2023 . The Northern Echo . 31 October 2023 .
  4. News: Barley . Sophie . TATA Steel UK'S research and development centre returns to independent ownership . 9 August 2023 . TeessideLive . 3 December 2014 .
  5. News: Commercial steel-making returns to Teesside – The Manufacturer. The Manufacturer. 6 July 2018.
  6. News: Teesside gains new hope with launch of specialised steel plant. Tovey. Alan. 14 March 2016. The Telegraph. 6 July 2018. 0307-1235.
  7. News: Tees testing facility to start producing and selling own steel. Hughes. Mike. 14 March 2016. gazettelive. 6 July 2018.
  8. News: Meet the MD: Chris McDonald, Materials Processing Institute. 6 July 2018.
  9. Web site: Materials Processing Institute managing director to speak at Chinese steel conference Steel Times International. www.steeltimesint.com. 6 July 2018.
  10. Web site: Samantha Lee. Chris McDonald, MPI CEO, full interview for The Politics Show. 5 August 2015. 6 July 2018.
  11. News: We cannot afford to allow British steel producers to rust in peace. McDonald. Chris. 3 April 2016. The Telegraph. 6 July 2018. 0307-1235.
  12. News: The future of steel in Britain – The Manufacturer. The Manufacturer. 6 July 2018.
  13. Web site: £3m funding boost for Teesside steel centre of excellence. The Northern Echo. 18 June 2015 . 6 July 2018.
  14. Web site: Hughes . Mike . Teesside mum wins prestigious scholarship – after taking an eight-year break . The Northern Echo . 2 March 2023 . 8 March 2023 .
  15. News: Craddock . Nicola . Chris McDonald presents the future of Redhills at Durham Energy Institute . Redhills Durham . 4 May 2022.
  16. News: Steel without the fossil fuels - RGS . 14 July 2024 . Royal Geographic Society . en.
  17. Web site: Chris McDonald FREng . 14 July 2024 . Royal Academy of Engineering . en.
  18. News: Gonzalez . Elena . Alumnus Chris McDonald been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering . 14 July 2024 . www.ceb.cam.ac.uk . 13 March 2023 . en.
  19. News: Lightfoot . Gareth . Chris McDonald selected as Labour candidate for Stockton North . 8 March 2023 . TeessideLive . 7 March 2023 .
  20. News: Jones . Leigh . Local party members select candidate for next election as MP plans to retire . 8 March 2023 . The Northern Echo .
  21. News: Lightfoot . Gareth . New Labour candidate Chris McDonald: 'I'm raring to go' . 8 March 2023 . TeessideLive . 7 March 2023 .
  22. News: Lightfoot . Gareth . Labour strengthen Stockton North majority as Reform beat Tories . 5 July 2024 . Teesside Live . 5 July 2024 .
  23. News: O'Leary . Alex . 'Raring to go': Labour's Chris McDonald elected as Stockton North MP . 5 July 2024 . The Northern Echo . 3 July 2024 .
  24. News: Jones . Morgan . '40 years on from the miners' strike, this Durham Miners' Gala was a special one' . 17 July 2024 . LabourList . 14 July 2024.

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