In a special general meeting of the West Ham Conservative Association Festus Akinbusoyse was selected as the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for West Ham the 2015 General Election.
Festus grew up in Canning Town having arrived in the UK from Nigeria aged 13. He is dad to three young children and works as a Senior Parliamentary Assistant while also running a successful business that employs approximately 60 staff.
His dad worked as an Estate Caretaker for Tower Hamlets Council and his mum ran a textiles business. Commenting on their influence, Festus said: "Mum and dad really showed me what it meant to work hard, get a good education and be willing to help make the world a better place. These have greatly influenced my world views and attitude to social policies."
He read for his Bachelor of Arts in Business Communications, Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations and a Master of Arts in International Studies and Diplomacy at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.
Festus has volunteered as an Local Education Authority School governor, mentored young offenders, led youth groups and several community based initiatives both in the West Ham constituency and elsewhere. He has also served as Deputy Chairman of the Milton Keynes Conservative Association, Councillor and was part of coaching staff to U18 and U16 basketball team that won national championships. He also organised the recently concluded free Business and Employability training seminars for local residents.These were designed to boost confidence of and inspire budding entrepreneurs. The seminars were held over a six week period and were a huge success.
Commenting on his selection as Parliamentary Candidate, Festus said: "I am delighted to have this opportunity to represent the area that has been a part of my life since I was a teenager. I love the vibrancy, dynamism and diversity we have in the West Ham constituency. I very much look forward to building on the work our team have already been doing for the benefit of local residents over the last few years."