Newly-elected Liberal Democrat MP for Cheltenham, Max Wilkinson, has been appointed as his party's frontbench spokesperson for culture, media and sport this September 2024.
Max, who was elected as an MP for the first time in July 2024, becomes part of the new 33-member frontbench team unveiled by Lib Dem leader, Sir Ed Davey, following the party's election gains.
The prominent appointment positions the MP next to Labour secretary of state Lisa Nandy and Conservative shadow secretary Julia Lopez as one of the leading voices for culture, media and sport in parliament.
Max says he is looking forward to taking on the role as an enthusiast and experienced professional within the sector.
Raised in Weston-super-Mare before going on to study business at Cardiff University, Max began working as a journalist after graduating, in permanent roles for The Weston Mercury and Gloucestershire Echo and also as a freelance sports reporter, covering football matches across the west country.
Announcing his new position on LinkedIn, Max said: 'As the MP for the Festival Town, a trained journalist and a lifelong sports fan, I look forward to getting down to work. I’m sure it’ll be an ace job.'
The MP has also worked in communications for Cheltenham Ladies' College and Cheltenham-based PR and communications agency, Camargue and has served on Cheltenham Borough Council, including as cabinet member for climate emergency.
This year was his third time standing as an MP for the Lib Dems in Gloucestershire, having been a candidate in Stroud in 2017 and Cheltenham in 2019. He was elected this summer ahead of former Conservative incumbent, Alex Chalk.
