Robert Hayward

Who is Robert Hayward?

Robert Antony Hayward OBE is a British former Conservative Party politician. He was the Member of Parliament for Kingswood from 1983 to 1992, when he lost his seat to Labour's Roger Berry. In 1993, Hayward was an unsuccessful candidate at the Christchurch by-election.

Hayward was educated at Abingdon School, Maidenhead Grammar School and the University of Rhodesia. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Young Conservatives in 1976-77 and was a councillor on Coventry City Council 1976-78.

Hayward received an OBE for his services to friends and families of hostages prior to the Gulf War in 1991 Iraq War, when he established and ran, with others, the Gulf Support Group for civilians who were held in Iraq after the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. This service ran initially from Hayward's home then from offices in London. He remains the only serving MP ever to receive a civilian honour for services outside of politics.

He currently still lives in London and was formerly CEO of the Beer and Pub Association where he has stewarded through difficult legislation regarding opening hours and the smoking ban.

Hayward is currently Deputy Chairman, and Chairman of the Investment Committee, of Central YMCA, board member of Dignity in Dying and adviser to the board of Terence Higgins Trust.