Biography

Formerly manager of his family estate, Sir Robert Smith entered Parliament at his second attempt in 1997, gaining this new seat from the Conservatives.

After attending Merchant Taylors’ School, he read mathematics at Aberdeen University; his interests are hill walking & sailing.

He was an Aberdeenshire Councillor, Scottish Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson and Vice-Convener of the Grampian Joint Police Board between 1995-97; he has twice served as a member of the Aberdeen University Court.

In the 1997 Parliament he was a member of the Transport & the Environment team [1997-99] and the Scottish Affairs team and Scottish Whip [1999-2001]. He served as Scottish Affairs Spokesman and member of the Scottish Affairs Committee from 2001 – 2003, and as Deputy Chief Whip from 2001 – 2006. He joined the DTI team in 2003, and was Shadow energy spokesman 2005-2006. He was a member of the DTI Select Committees, 2003-2005, and currently sits on the Procedure Committee.

He is Joint Vice Chair of the UK Offshore Oil & Gas Industry Group and Treasurer of the House of Commons Yacht Club.