A FORMER Ipswich pupil is set to drive British tourism under the new government after being appointed one of David Cameron’s ministers.

John Penrose was born in Sudbury and grew up in Stutton and is now minister for tourism.

He was a pupil at Ipswich School between the years 1975 and 1982, the school where his father, the late David Penrose taught history.

Mr Penrose, a conservative MP for Weston-super-Mare since 2005 was until the general election shadow business minister, serving under Ken Clarke.

The 45-year-old significantly boosted his majority in last week’s election.

He has a background in publishing, management consultancy and banking and is married with two daughters.

Ipswich School’s chaplain the Revd David Warnes said he remembered Mr Penrose was a “very bright student,” and is not surprised by his success.

He said: “He was a lively and valuable member of the sixth form discussion group that I ran and went on to read Law at Downing College, Cambridge, before studying for an MBA at Columbia.”