Born in 1931 to a working class family, Norman went to Edmonton County School, an academically selective state school in north London.

He worked as a journalist for the Financial Times before serving with the Royal Air Force as a pilot from 1949 to 1951, and was commissioned to the RAuxAF 604 Squadron from 1952 to 1955.

Upon leaving the RAF he joined BOAC in 1953 as a pilot, during which time he was an official in the British Air Line Pilots Association.

He was elected MP for Epping in 1970, and then for Chingford in 1974.

After the Conservatives won the 1979 General Election, Norman was appointed Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Trade.  In 1981, he was made Secretary of State for Employment, and a Privy Councillor, followed by Secretary of State for Trade and Industry from 1983 until 1985, when he was appointed Chairman of the Conservative Party and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in the run-up to the 1987 General Election.

Following the 1987 General Election, Norman returned to the backbenches.

He was made a Companion of Honour in 1987, and stood down as MP for Chingford in 1992, when he was enobled Baron Tebbit of Chingford.

Norman has been President of The Nuffield Ortholics Appeal and the Nuffield Orthopaedic Appeal, and Chairman of the Battle of Britain London Monument Appeal.

He has also been a Council Member and Past President of The Air League, and a Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Norman has published two books, 'Upwardly Mobile' in 1988 and 'Unfinished Business' in 1991.

Outside of politics, he enjoys gardening.

He is a Freeman of the City of London.

Norman is married to Margaret.