Malcolm Wicks was born in north London but has lived in Croydon for over 30 years with his wife, Margaret.  His three children all attended local state schools and sixth form college.  Locally he has served as a school governor and was member of the Croydon Community Health Council for many years. 

Before entering Parliament, Malcolm worked in the Urban Deprivation Unit of the Home Office, as a lecturer and was Director of the Family Policy Studies Centre.  During this time he wrote several publications, including one of the first studies of hypothermia, Old and Cold: hypothermia and social policy.

He continues to maintain a keen interest in local organisations and is currently Vice-President of South-East Cancer Centre and the Croydon Philharmonic Choir; Board member of the Croydon-based London Mozart Players; a patron of the West Croydon Refugee Centre and the Bangaldesh Welfare Association and Friends of Parchmore.  Nationally, he is Vice-President of Carers UK and the Alzheimer's Society.

In 1994 he successfully took his Private Member's Bill through all its stages to become the first piece of legislation to recognise in law the needs of family carers as the Carers (Recognition & Services) Act 1995.

Malcolm was a member of the Social Security Select Committee from 1995-1997 before becoming Chair of the Education Select Committee 1998-1999.  

Ministerial Portfolios

• 1999  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Lifelong Learning, Department for Education & Employment
• 2001 Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work & Pensions
• 2003 Minister of State for Pensions, Department for Work & Pensions
• 2005 Minister of State for Energy, Department of Trade & Industry
• 2006 Minister of State for Science & Innovation, Department of Trade & Industry
• 2007-2009 Minister of State for Energy, Department of Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform
• 2009-2010 Prime Minister's Special Representation on International Energy Issues

In his spare time Malcolm enjoys gardening and listening to music.