Jacques Arnold started his career at
Hill Samuel & Co., merchant bankers, in the
City of London. Between 1976 and 1978 he lived in São Paulo, where he established the Representative Office of
Midland Bank Limited, serving as their Deputy Representative. Returning to Britain, he was Regional Director of
Thomas Cook Bankers from 1978 to 1983, with responsibilities for
Latin America,
Iberia and Africa, setting up new operations in São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Mexico City and Caracas, and running large established businesses in Spain, Portugal, South Africa, Nigeria and Libya. He was then successively Assistant Trade Finance Director of
Midland Bank, and a Director of
American Express Europe Ltd. During that period he won the
Oundle division of
Northamptonshire County Council, and served as County Councillor from 1981 to 1985. He was Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for
Coventry South East in 1983. In 1982 he succeeded Christopher Horne as Chairman of
Hyde Park Tories, the Conservative team at
Speakers' Corner. Since leaving the
House of Commons he has been Adviser to a number of major companies with interests in Latin America, notably
BAE Systems, and FIRST Magazine. He also lectures on Latin America. He was Chairman of the Tonbridge & Malling Conservative Association, 2012–16. He is the author of two series of books: "A History of Britain’s Parliamentary Constituencies", and "The Royal Houses of Europe" a genealogical work. == Personal life ==