Andrew Pakes

Who is Andrew Pakes?

Andrew Pakes is a British Labour Party politician, and a former President of the National Union of Students.

Pakes grew up in Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. He was educated at Ousedale School, before going on to the University of Hull where he completed a Bachelor's degree in Politics and a Master's degree in Environmental Management. He was the first person from his family to enter higher education. An active member of Labour Students, he was on the national executive of the National Union of Students from 1996-2000 and was twice elected the National President of NUS, serving in the role from 1998-2000. He had previously served as the organisation's National Treasurer from 1997-1998. Pakes was the second openly gay individual to be elected NUS President after Stephen Twigg.

After his term as NUS President, Pakes worked for the Association of University Teachers, and for the then-Deputy Mayor of London, Nicky Gavron.