Hamish Badenoch has mostly kept a low profile as his wife, Kemi Badenoch, rose in politics. Recently, Kemi won the Conservative Party leadership, beating Robert Jenrick with 53,806 votes to his 41,000. At 44, she is one of the youngest leaders of a British political party and the first Black leader in Westminster. She has pledged to revitalize the Conservative Party with her vision of a low-tax, free-market economy, promising to “rewire, reboot, and reprogram” the British government.
While the public knows much about Kemi, her husband Hamish has stayed out of the spotlight. However, with Kemi’s recent success, Hamish, a banker, may soon become more familiar to the public.
Where Was Kemi Badenoch Born?
Kemi Badenoch was born as Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke on January 2, 1980, in Wimbledon, southwest London. She is one of three children of Nigerian Yoruba parents, her father being a general practitioner (GP) and her mother a physiology professor. Due to her mother’s career, the family lived in the United States for a period, and Kemi also spent part of her childhood in Lagos, Nigeria.
Where Did Kemi Badenoch Study?
After returning to the UK at age 16, Kemi completed her A-levels at Phoenix College in Morden, south London. She worked briefly at McDonald’s before going on to study computer science at the University of Sussex. Later, she pursued law part-time at Birkbeck, University of London, and graduated with an LLB degree in 2009.
What Was Kemi Badenoch’s Early Career?
Kemi began her career in IT, working as a software engineer for Logica (later known as CGI Group) from 2003 to 2006. She then transitioned into financial services, working as a systems analyst for the Royal Bank of Scotland. From 2006 to 2013, she was an associate director at the private bank Coutts. She also had a brief role as the digital director at The Spectator magazine from 2015 to 2016.
Who Is Kemi Badenoch Married To?
Kemi Badenoch is married to Hamish Badenoch, whom she met while both were involved in the Conservative Party’s Dulwich and West Norwood association. Hamish initially worked as her campaign manager before their relationship developed. The couple married in 2012 and has three children: two daughters, including the youngest born in September 2019, and a son.
Who Is Kemi Badenoch?
Kemi Badenoch is a British politician serving as the Leader of the Conservative Party and the Opposition since November 2, 2024. She previously held Cabinet roles under Prime Ministers Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak from 2022 to 2024. She has represented North West Essex as an MP since 2024 and was the MP for Saffron Walden from 2017 to 2024. Kemi identifies as a first-generation immigrant, having spent part of her youth abroad before settling permanently in the UK.