TORY activists have picked financial expert Gavin Haran to fight the Southend East and Rochford seat at the General Election on July 4.

Mr Haran, a married dad-of-one, is head of financial services policy at City law firm, Macfarlanes, where he advises on financial services and investment companies.

According to his website, the Conservative candidate knows “how government works” and has worked at HM Treasury on the “banking interventions during the financial crisis”.

Echo: Tories meet at Southend's Pier Hill following the selection of Gavin Haran as Tory candidate for Southend East and RochfordTories meet at Southend's Pier Hill following the selection of Gavin Haran as Tory candidate for Southend East and Rochford (Image: Conservatives)

The Southend East and Rochford Conservative Association met today to pick their candidate and Mr Haran emerged victorious.

He was up against Alice Hopkin, former special adviser to Home Secretary James Cleverly and Stephanie Hedley-Barnes.

Sir James Duddridge is standing down due to ill health.

Mr Haran said: “It’s the highest honour to be picked by local Conservatives to be their candidate and to succeed Sir James Duddridge in representing Southend East and Rochford. I am so grateful to the support that has been shown to me, and I am kickstarting my campaign immediately.

“I am also very lucky to have the support of my fantastic wife, Eliza, and our young son, Teddy.”

Echo: Selected - Gavin Haran with his wife Eliza after his selection as Tory candidate for Southend East and RochfordSelected - Gavin Haran with his wife Eliza after his selection as Tory candidate for Southend East and Rochford (Image: newsquest)

Mr Haran  came second in Lewisham Deptford in the 2019 General Election and has stood for council seats both in and outside London.

He added: “With my business expertise, I am best placed to fight for local needs in Westminster. I look forward to meeting as many residents over the campaign as possible.”

Mr Haran was born and raised in the South East and has dual heritage as his mother is English and father is Sri Lankan.

He graduated with a BSc from University College London, completed a master’s degree and graduate diploma in law, and has volunteered as a mentor and school governor. Mr Haran was formerly also an executive director at the investment banking organisation JP Morgan.

He will face Bayo Alaba for Labour, James Allen for the Liberal Democrats, Les Lilly for Reform UK, and Simon Cross for the green party and Lee Clark (Confelicity) for the seat.

These are the only parties so far that have declared their candidate.