He served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Energy from 1981 to 1983, PPS to the Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1983 to 1984, Assistant government whip from 1984 to 1986; a Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury (Government whip) from 1986 to 1988, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher from 1988 to 1990, and as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of state in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from 1990 to 1994.
He held various positions, including being an aide to the Energy Secretary from 1981 to 1983, a personal assistant to the Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1983 to 1984, an assistant whip for the government from 1984 to 1986; a Treasury official (government whip) from 1986 to 1988, a private secretary to the Prime Minister from 1988 to 1990, and as a junior minister in the Foreign Office from 1990 to 1994.