William David McKenzie

William David McKenzie, Baron McKenzie of Luton (24 July 1976–) is a British life peer in the House of Lords and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions. [cite web
url = http://www.dwp.gov.uk/aboutus/ministers/lord_mckenzie.asp|title = Lord McKenzie of Luton
accessdate = 2008-06-24
date = 24 June 2008
work = Department for Work and Pensions
publisher = Department for Work and Pensions] He is also a former Partner at accounting firm Price Waterhouse which became PricewaterhouseCoopers following a 1998 merger.

Education and early career

McKenzie studied Economics and Accounting at the University of Bristol between 1964 and 1967, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA). He then became an articled clerk at Martin Rata & Partners between 1967 and 1973 before moving to Price Waterhouse in London, UK working for one of the senior managers. He became a Partner in 1980, holding this post until 1986 when he became a Consultant remaining at Price Waterhouse in London. He stayed within the company but moved to Hong Kong in 1992 as a Consultant before becoming a Partner at Price Waterhouse Hong Kong in 1993. He was promoted further to Partner-in-charge of Price Waterhouse in Vietnam in 1996; relinquishing this post in 1998. [cite web
url = http://www.luton-labour.org.uk/bill.html|title = Lord Bill McKenzie
accessdate = 2008-06-24
date = 24 June 2008
work = Luton Labour Party
publisher = Luton Labour Party]

Early political career

McKenzie twice contested the seat of Luton South in the 1987 and 1992 General Elections respectively. However, both times his bid to become a Member of Parliament (MP) was unsuccessful. He had served as a Councillor on Luton Borough Council for two periods:1976–1992 and 1999–2005. He continued his work as a Councillor following both of his defeats. McKenzie eventually became the Leader of Luton Borough Council and remained on the Council until 2005. During this time he was a member of the GMB trade union serving a range of trades from clerical work to furniture manufacturers. Lord McKenzie remains a member of GMB. [cite web
url = http://www.luton-labour.org.uk/bill.html|title = Lord Bill McKenzie
accessdate = 2008-06-24
date = 24 June 2008
work = Luton Labour Party
publisher = Luton Labour Party] [cite web
url = http://www.dwp.gov.uk/aboutus/ministers/lord_mckenzie.asp|title = Lord McKenzie of Luton
accessdate = 2008-06-24
date = 24 June 2008
work = Department for Work and Pensions
publisher = Department for Work and Pensions]

Recent political career

McKenzie was elevated to the peerage on 18 June 2004 as Baron McKenzie of Luton, of Luton in the County of Bedfordshire. [cite web
url = http://www.thepeerage.com/p19160.htm|title = Person Page - 19160
accessdate = 2008-06-24
date = 24 June 2008
work = Darryl Lundy
publisher = ThePeerage.com] He was appointed Government Spokesperson in the House of Lords Treasury and a Whip for the Department for Trade and Industry in May 2005. Before being awarded a peerage, Lord McKenzie had been an advisor to Labour's Shadow Treasury team and a member of the original Fabian Society Taxation Review Committee. He was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions on 8 January 2007 and is responsible for representing the department in the House of Lords. [cite web
url = http://www.dwp.gov.uk/aboutus/ministers/lord_mckenzie.asp|title = Lord McKenzie of Luton
accessdate = 2008-06-24
date = 24 June 2008
work = Department for Work and Pensions
publisher = Department for Work and Pensions]

Personal life

McKenzie married Diane in 1972. She became Lady McKenzie of Luton when her husband was elevated to the peerage in 2004. Lord McKenzie's " [l] eisure interests include swimming, reading and concerts." [cite web
url = http://www.luton-labour.org.uk/bill.html|title = Lord Bill McKenzie
accessdate = 2008-06-24
date = 24 June 2008
work = Luton Labour Party
publisher = Luton Labour Party]

Other appointments

Lord McKenzie is a former Chairman of Luton Airport and is patron to several art groups. [cite web
url = http://www.dwp.gov.uk/aboutus/ministers/lord_mckenzie.asp|title = Lord McKenzie of Luton
accessdate = 2008-06-24
date = 24 June 2008
work = Department for Work and Pensions
publisher = Department for Work and Pensions]

References