About me

I am a former MP and MSP. As an MP, I was a member of the Business Select Committee.  I was the lead interrogator of Sir Philip Green, holding him to account for his disgraceful treatment of the staff at BHS. I performed a similar role in relation to Sports Direct and their treatment of agency workers. As an MSP, I sat on two of the most powerful committees in Parliament. The first was the Finance and Public Administration Committee which scrutinised how the Scottish Government is funded, how funds are dispersed and how you are served by public bodies. The second was the Economy and Fair Work Committee, of which I was Deputy Convenor. This Committee focused on scrutinising the Scottish Government's economic policy, including a just transition to a net zero economy. It also included employment, procurement, investment and trade policies, support for business, industry, tourism and manufacturing, broadband connectivity and the digital economy, and the Scottish National Investment Bank. I was also a member of a number of cross-party groups (CPGs) and, as a graduate of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, now known as the Royal Conservatoire of Music, I convened the CPG for Music.

I spent 21 years in corporate companies delivering large IT and business change programmes, and have also run a number of small businesses, one of which conducted research into economic and business issues affecting Scotland.

Since a youngster in school, I have been a passionate supporter of Scottish Independence.