Steve Aiken
Stephen Ronald "Steve" Aiken OBE MLA (born 16 June 1962) is the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party in Northern Ireland and has served as an MLA for South Antrim since the 2016 election.
Steve Aiken | |
|---|---|
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| Ulster Unionist Chief Whip | |
| Assumed office 8 April 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Robin Swann |
| Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party | |
| Assumed office 9 November 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Robin Swann |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for South Antrim | |
| Assumed office May 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Adrian Cochrane-Watson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Stephen Ronald Aiken 16 June 1962 Ballyclare, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Ulster Unionist Party |
| Spouse(s) | Beth |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Britannia Royal Naval College King's College London Cambridge University |
| Profession | Naval Commander |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | Royal Navy |
| Unit | Submarine Service |
Early Life and Education
Steve was born in South Antrim, attended Thompson Primary School, Ballyrobert, and then was educated at Belfast High School. During his naval career he undertook further study at King's College London (MA Defence Studies, 2001) and the University of Cambridge (MPhil, 2013; PhD, 2016).[1]
Military career
Aiken served for 32 years in the Royal Navy as a submariner, ultimately in many senior operational roles, including commanding two nuclear-powered submarines, being Joint Plans Officer for operations in the Middle-East in 2002-04 (for which he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE). At the end of his navy service he worked briefly in Whitehall before becoming the founding CEO of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, a post he held for three years during which he lived in Dublin.[2][3]
Political career
When Robin Swann announced his resignation as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party in 2019, Aiken decided to run for the leadership. He was elected unopposed as leader in November 2019.[4]
References
- https://www.steveaiken.uk/about-me
- https://issuu.com/exsite/docs/steve_conference_speech
- https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2019/11/can-steve-aiken-save-ulster-unionist-party
- "Steve Aiken takes over as new leader of Ulster Unionist Party". BBC News. 9 November 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
| Northern Ireland Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Adrian Cochrane-Watson |
Member of the Legislative Assembly for South Antrim 2016–present |
Incumbent |