Grimsby Town owner joins government in reshuffle

Jason Stockwood has described himself as a "council estate kid"

Jason Stockwood, the co-owner of Grimsby Town FC, has joined the government in Sir Keir Starmer's reshuffle.

The 54-year-old businessman has been made investment minister and will be given a peerage in order to take on the role.

Stockwood, who grew up on a council estate in a single-parent family, is the former head of dating website Match.com.

In a statement, Grimsby Town said their former chairman would step back from the board and day-to-day responsibilities, but would remain co-owner.

The step would "avoid any potential conflict of interest" and "ensure the club remains politically neutral".

Stockwood will sit in the House of Lords. His ministerial role will straddle the Treasury and the Department of Business and Trade.

Earlier this year, he ran on a Labour ticket to become the first elected mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, but lost by a wide margin to the Reform UK candidate, Dame Andrea Jenkyns.

At the time, he said he had built his successful business career "through hard work", and in doing so had created "thousands of jobs" and invested in local communities.

Stockwood grew up in Antrim Way, Scartho, with his mother, grandmother and three brothers and has described himself as a "council estate kid".

"It was a happy childhood. It just happened we were skint," he previously told the BBC. "My mum was a real grafter, even though she was a single parent, she had three jobs and a real work ethic."

His background meant he was "not a career politician".

The lifelong Grimsby Town fan linked up with fellow entrepreneur and Mariners fan Andrew Pettit to take over the club in 2021.

They have overseen a revival of fortunes, which culminated in the Mariners beating Manchester United in the Carabao Cup last month.

"Everyone at GTFC congratulates Jason on this important national appointment and thanks him for his continued passion, dedication, and service to the Mariners," the club's statement said.

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