Reform’s Top Team
Reform UK has rapidly gone from a start-up party to the biggest threat to the Westminster political establishment.
Nigel Farage‘s party is riding high in the polls, with a wave of defections bolstering its numbers in Parliament, and is now eying seats previously thought unwinnable by anyone other than the two traditional parties.
Its rise has been fuelled by popular policies and frustration with Labour and the Conservatives, but also by seasoned political operators, and newcomers, working together behind the scenes at their HQ.
Some cut their teeth in politics working for the Conservative Party or on the campaign to take Britain out of the European Union. Others worked in business before making the jump into politics to get behind Mr Farage.
Together these different groups make up the team trying to shatter the Westminster system for good, and as the party gears up for its conference in Birmingham, the Daily Express takes a look at the key figures shaping Reform UK’s fortunes – the household names, the rising stars, and the defectors turning heads in Westminster.
Here is our guide to who’s who in Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
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Nigel Farage
Obviously, no list about Reform UK could start without the man himself, Nigel Farage. A long-time political operator, Mr Farage is the member of Parliament for Clacton in Essex, and previously served as a Member of the European Parliament where he gained a reputation for winding up Eurocrats.
He first got involved in politics back in 1978, joining the Conservative Party only to leave in 1992 in protest at then-Prime Minister John Major signing up to the EU’s Maastricht treaty. That began a long career in Eurosceptic parties, initially as a co-founder of UKIP in 1993, a party he would go on to lead, and then as founder of the Brexit Party.
Mr Farage was instrumental in this country’s decisive vote to leave the European Union in 2016, and would continue that fight as battles took place in Parliament over how exactly to quit.
Reform UK was founded in 2019, with Mr Farage leading it for a while before stepping back to focus on other aspects of his career. He would return as leader in 2024, entering Parliament for the first time in the general election that same year. He has since seen the party’s support increase, and Reform UK went on to lead 300 opinion polls back to back.
You’ll be able to hear Mr Farage speak several times at the Reform UK conference, on the main stage.
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Richard Tice
Reform UK’s Deputy Leader and a long time ally of Nigel Farage, Richard Tice has been there from the beginning. A businessman who was heavily involved as both co-founder and co-chairman of the Leave Means Leave campaign, Mr Tice currently serves as the MP for Boston and Skegness.
His first foray into politics was as a member and donor of the Conservative Party, where he took an interest in how the university system was failing students. A eurosceptic, Mr Tice was director of a business group that campaigned in the 90s for the UK to stay out of the Euro.
In 2015 he co-founded the Leave.EU group and donated to various campaigns to leave the EU, and was even named as one of the four “Bad Boys of Brexit”, before pushing for a no-deal break with Brussels.
Mr Tice would go on to become chairman of the Brexit Party, and would become an MEP in 2019, before standing for Parliament and winning in 2024. He is now deputy leader of the Reform UK party and a hugely influential figure in its operations.
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Zia Yusuf
A major figure on the so-called online right, Zia Yusuf is the party’s home affairs spokesman and well known for his hardline approach to immigration. Another businessman, he moved from the Conservative Party in 2024 to Reform UK after selling his business in 2023.
He was briefly chairman of the party in 2024, when he took over from Richard Tice. He had a well-publicised spat with then-Reform MP Rupert Lowe in 2025, which ended in Mr Lowe leaving the party.
Mr Yusuf made headlines again after he resigned from the party in June of that year, hours after Sarah Pochin (a Reform MP) had called for a ban on the burqa, which was not party policy. In what was seen as a sign of how close he was to Nigel Farage personally, he reversed his decision just two days later after a private chat with him.
Since February of this year he has been a member of the frontbench team of the party, where he often makes appearances on BBC Question Time, and in other media.
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James Orr
Oxford educated Philosopher James Orr is considered to be the brains behind some of the major policy announcements coming out of Reform HQ. Working as a professor of the philosophy of religion at the University of Cambridge, Mr Orr has a long history of association with conservative politicians.
He was even known for his association with the US vice-president JD Vance, and has written for a wide range of publications on national conservatism. As of April 2026, Mr Orr works as the Reform UK head of policy.
Mr Orr is responsible for the policy team in Reform UK, which in turn is in charge of producing detailed and dossiers setting out what the party will do if they win the next election. He is known for his support of traditional values and hardline stance on migration.
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Robert Jenrick
A Conservative Party defector, Robert Jenrick served in government as immigration minister before quitting over a disagreement with Rishi Sunak. He then ran for the leadership of the Conservative & Unionist Party, losing to Kemi Badenoch, and was made shadow justice minister.
Earlier this year Mr Jenrick defected to Reform UK after he was suspended from the Conservative’s amid fears he was about to make the move. Whilst it is disputed as to how this came to light, Mrs Badenoch subsequently booted him out.
Since then, he has been made Reform shadow chancellor, championing demands to take an axe to government waste and the benefits made available for immigrants.
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Laila Cunningham
A former Crown Prosecutor, Laila Cunningham is the Reform UK party candidate for the position of Mayor of London. Previously a member of the Conservative Party, she has served as a member of Westminster City Council before leaving her seat in May this year.
The child of Egyptian migrants, Ms Cunningham was born in Paddington, London, and is a mother of seven children. When speaking about why she chose to go into politics, she said it was due to her admiration of Margaret Thatcher.
Ms Cunningham is now polling in second place behind London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan ahead of the race due to take place before the next election. Seen as a rising star within Reform UK, she is a popular figure within the party.
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From veteran Brexiteers to Westminster defectors, this is the team Nigel Farage is banking on to carry Reform UK into government.
Whether they can turn poll leads into votes at the ballot box remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Reform UK is no longer a protest party nipping at the heels of the big two.
It has fast become a serious electoral force, stacked with MPs, defectors and rising stars determined to upend more than a century of Labour and Conservative dominance.
As the party sharpens its policies on tax, housing and immigration, and continues to poach disillusioned Tories and disaffected voters alike, its cast of characters will only grow.
For now, though, this is the line-up driving Reform’s insurgency – the faces Daily Express readers will be seeing a lot more of in the months and years ahead.
Nigel Farage may be the most recognisable face of Reform UK, but the party’s growing political ambitions depend on a much larger team of politicians, business figures, policy advisers and experienced campaigners. As Reform attempts to transform itself from a protest movement into a serious contender for government, the people surrounding its leader are becoming increasingly important. From former Conservative ministers to wealthy entrepreneurs and influential political strategists, Farage is assembling a team that he believes can challenge Labour and the Conservatives and reshape British politics.
The rapid rise of Reform UK has created a significant challenge for the traditional political establishment. For decades, British politics was dominated by Labour and the Conservatives, with smaller parties struggling to break through the electoral system. However, growing dissatisfaction with immigration, taxation, public services and economic performance has created an opportunity for Farage to attract voters who feel abandoned by the established parties.
The party’s success is not based entirely on Farage’s personal popularity. Behind the scenes, a growing group of experienced political figures is working to develop policies, recruit candidates, attract financial support and prepare the organisation for a possible period in government.
One of the most important figures is Richard Tice, Reform’s deputy leader and a long-standing ally of Farage. A successful businessman and prominent Brexit campaigner, Tice has been involved in the party’s development since its early days. He previously served as leader of the Brexit Party and played an important role in the campaign to secure Britain’s departure from the European Union.
Tice now oversees business, trade and energy policy. His economic priorities include reducing regulation, encouraging private investment and increasing domestic energy production. He argues that Britain cannot become more prosperous without affordable energy and a business environment that encourages companies to expand.
His relationship with Farage is particularly important because the two men have worked together through several political organisations. Tice brings business experience, financial knowledge and a strong understanding of the Brexit movement.
Another influential figure is Zia Yusuf, who has become one of Reform’s most prominent policy voices. A businessman with a background in financial services and technology, Yusuf has been closely involved in the party’s efforts to professionalise its organisation.
He has taken responsibility for home affairs and immigration policy, one of the areas where Reform believes it can attract the largest number of dissatisfied voters. His proposals include tougher border enforcement, deportation of people who have no legal right to remain in Britain and a fundamental reassessment of the country’s relationship with European human rights institutions.
Yusuf’s importance extends beyond immigration. He has also been involved in developing the party’s organisational structure and ensuring that Reform has the resources and personnel needed to compete with larger political organisations.
Perhaps the most significant recent addition to Farage’s team is Robert Jenrick, the former Conservative minister who defected to Reform in January 2026. His appointment as the party’s economic spokesman and shadow chancellor represents an important attempt to strengthen Reform’s credibility on financial matters.
Jenrick previously held senior government positions, including housing secretary and immigration minister. He also contested the Conservative leadership in 2024 before losing to Kemi Badenoch.
His move to Reform attracted considerable attention because it demonstrated that Farage could persuade experienced politicians from the traditional Conservative establishment to join his movement.
Jenrick has promised to develop an economic programme focused on reducing government waste, controlling public expenditure and encouraging business growth. His experience in government could help Reform translate campaign promises into more detailed policy proposals.
However, his appointment also creates a political challenge. Critics argue that Reform is increasingly becoming a home for former Conservative politicians who previously participated in governments that the party now criticises. Farage must therefore demonstrate that his new recruits genuinely represent a different political direction rather than simply a change of party label.
Suella Braverman is another major addition. The former Home Secretary joined Reform after leaving the Conservatives and was appointed to lead education, skills and equality policy.
Braverman is known for her strong views on immigration, national identity and the role of the state. She has also called for significant changes to education, arguing that schools should restore discipline, improve academic standards and provide more opportunities for vocational training.
Her experience in government gives Reform access to someone familiar with the challenges of running a major department. However, her controversial political positions could also become a source of criticism during an election campaign.
James Orr is another important figure operating behind the scenes. An academic at the University of Cambridge, Orr has become associated with the intellectual and ideological development of Reform’s political programme.
His role involves helping translate broad political ideas into detailed policy proposals. He has connections with conservative intellectual circles and has been influential in discussions about national identity, traditional values, immigration and the future of British institutions.
This policy development is essential if Reform wants to convince voters that it can do more than criticise the government. A successful political movement needs credible plans covering taxation, healthcare, education, housing, defence and public services.
Laila Cunningham represents a different side of the party’s development. A former Crown Prosecutor and local councillor, she has become Reform’s candidate for Mayor of London. Her professional background in criminal justice gives her experience of policing, public safety and the operation of the legal system.
Cunningham has attracted attention as a rising figure within the party. Her campaign provides Reform with an opportunity to challenge Labour’s influence in London and appeal to voters concerned about crime, housing and the cost of living.
Beyond these prominent figures, Reform has been working to strengthen its local organisation. The party’s growth in council representation has provided opportunities to recruit new activists, develop regional campaigns and build relationships with voters outside its traditional political strongholds.
Local government is particularly important because it gives Reform an opportunity to demonstrate its administrative capabilities. Running councils requires practical decisions about housing, roads, waste collection, social care and local taxation. Success or failure in these areas could influence the party’s reputation nationally.
The financial support available to Reform is another important part of its political strategy. Wealthy donors and business figures have helped the party expand its campaigning capacity and professionalise its operations. Nick Candy, the property entrepreneur and former party treasurer, has been particularly prominent in fundraising activities.
However, the influence of wealthy donors also creates questions about transparency and political accountability. Reform will need to demonstrate that financial contributions do not give private individuals excessive influence over policy decisions.
The party’s communication strategy is equally significant. Farage has built a powerful public profile through television appearances, interviews and social media. Reform’s communications operation seeks to turn this visibility into sustained political support.
Its challenge is to maintain public attention while developing a credible national programme. Strong political messaging can attract voters, but it cannot replace detailed answers to difficult questions about public spending, economic growth and the future of public services.
There are also internal tensions that Farage must manage. The arrival of senior Conservative defectors has created competition for influential positions. Richard Tice, who has been loyal to Farage for years, was not given the Treasury role that some expected. Jenrick received that responsibility instead.
Farage has made clear that he expects discipline and loyalty from his senior colleagues. He wants Reform to operate as a coordinated political organisation rather than a collection of individuals pursuing separate ambitions.
This approach may help the party avoid the internal conflicts that have damaged previous Conservative governments. However, excessive centralisation could also discourage disagreement and prevent important policy weaknesses from being identified.
Ultimately, Reform’s prospects depend on whether its leadership team can turn political momentum into practical achievements. The party must convince voters that it has enough experienced people to manage government departments, control public finances and deliver improvements in everyday life.
In conclusion, Nigel Farage remains the central figure in Reform UK’s political rise, but the party’s future increasingly depends on the strength of the people surrounding him. Richard Tice provides business experience, Zia Yusuf leads the immigration agenda, Robert Jenrick brings ministerial experience, Suella Braverman offers political knowledge of education and government, while James Orr contributes to policy development. Figures such as Laila Cunningham also represent the party’s ambition to expand into new electoral territories. Together, they are attempting to transform Reform from a movement built around one popular leader into a national political organisation capable of governing Britain. Whether they can achieve that ambition will depend on their ability to work together, develop credible policies and convince voters that they offer a genuine alternative to the established political parties.