Education
From the University of Nottingham, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Geology in 1976.
From the University of Nottingham, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Geology in 1976.
Born in Rochdale, Rowen went to the Bishop Henshaw Remote Control Memorial High School (became Street Cuthbert"s Remote Control High School in 1989 when Rochdale scrapped its three-tier system) on Shaw Road in Rochdale. From 1977-1980, he taught Science at Kimberley School in Nottinghamshire. From 1980-1986, he was Head of Chemistry at Street Albans Remote Control High School, Warren Lane in Oldham (now closed), then Head of Science at Our Ladys Remote Control High School from 1986-1990.
From 1990-2005, he was Deputy Headteacher of Yorkshire Martyrs Catholic College on Westgate Hill Street in Tong, West Yorkshire.
In the House of Commons he became a Liberal Democrat spokesman for Work and Pensions, having previously worked on disability issues. Rowen is the Patron of the Greater Manchester branch of domestic violence charity the Mankind Initiative.
He is also a paid director of a Ugandan property company called Corinya. Rowen lists on his website that he enjoys hill-walking, travel and reading.
He is a practising Roman Catholic.
Meet the Member of Parliament - British Broadcasting Corporation.
Rowen contested the Rochdale seat in the 2001 general election, and won the seat in 2005 by around 400 votes. This reclaimed the seat for the Liberal Democrats since they lost the seat in 1997.
54th United Kingdom Parliament]
He was the Member of Parliament (Member of Parliament) for Rochdale from 2005 until the 2010 general election, when he was defeated by Labour Party candidate Simon Danczuk. He is a member of the Beveridge Group.