Witham MP Priti Patel has been promoted to ministerial ranks in David Cameron's reshuffle of his front bench.
She will work alongside Chancellor George Osborne as Exchequer Secretary in her first front bench role since she was elected for the Conservatives in 2010.
She replaces David Gauke, who was also promoted today (July 15).
Miss Patel, known as a member of the party's right-wing, had been tipped for a more prominent role as the Prime Minister sought to increase the number of women in his cabinet.
Meanwhile Braintree MP Brooks Newmark has also been elevated to a ministerial role.
Brooks Newmark becomes Minister for Civil Society at Cabinet Office. #reshuffle
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) July 15, 2014