Prior to Parliament, Tim worked in the private sector as a fund manager in the City of London before becoming a Director at Fleming Private Asset Management. Tim was first elected to Parliament in 1997 as Member for East Worthing and Shoreham and was re-elected in 2001, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2017 and 2019 before deciding to stand down in 2024 after 27 years in the House of Commons.
Tim held various positions during his time in Parliament. He was Shadow Minister for Environment from 2000, Shadow Minister for Health and Children from 2003 during the Conservative Party’s time in opposition. He was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Children and Families following the 2010 General Election until 2012 leading on several areas of successful reform in child protection, child sexual exploitation and adoption in particular.
After rejoining the backbenches, he continued to work vigorously in support of improved policies in the main areas of his expertise especially around children and young people and home affairs. Tim chaired the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Conception to Age 2 (first 1001 days) which has undertaken important work to improve Government’s work in peri-natal mental health and strong attachment for young children.
He sat on the influential Home Affairs Select Committee and was Deputy Chair and acting Chair during his 10 years on the Committee. Tim also chaired a number of All Party Parliamentary Groups covering a wide range of issues, such as Archaeology, Hockey, The British Museum, Tibet and also co-chaired the APPGs for Mindfulness and Children. He was Vice Chairman of the All-Party Groups on Youth and Care Leavers and a Vice President of the LGA (Local Government Association.)
Tim was responsible for one of the most comprehensive Private Members Bills successfully becoming an Act after introducing the Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc.) Bill to Parliament in 2017. This brought changes in the law to allow opposite sex couples to take up civil partnerships, register others on marriage certificates and institute greater protections for stillbirths.
Tim has been Chairman of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission since 2022. He is also a trustee of the EYE (Eco, Young & Engaged) Project, the environmental education charity he established in 2008 in Sussex. In 2025 he became a trustee of the HMS Wellington Trust and in 2015 was elected as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.