Iain Wright qualified as a chartered accountant with Deloitte & Touche, the global accountancy and professional services firm.  He worked for Deloittes for seven years before joining One NorthEast, the regional development agency, where his role comprised of advising on governance and risk management.  Prior to becoming MP for Hartlepool in 2004, Iain was also a Councillor on Hartlepool Borough Council and held the performance management portfolio in the Council’s Cabinet.

Since entering Parliament Iain has been a member of the Public Accounts and Modernisation Standing Committees (2007), and Parliamentary Private Secretary to a health minister (2005-06). Iain was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the department of Communities and Local Government in June 2007. In 2009 he moved to the Department of Children, Schools and Families as Parliamentary under Secretary of State for 14-19 Reform and Apprenticeship and continued as a Shadow Education Minister after the 2010 election. In 2011 Iain joined the Business, Innovation & Skills shadow ministerial team. He is the current Chair of the Business Innovation & Skills Select Committee.