Personal Information

Elected an MSP on May 2011 representing Renfrewshire North & West, Derek serves on the Finance Committee of the Scottish Parliament and is PLO (Political Liaison Officer) to the Cabinet Secretary for Parliamentary Business & Government Strategy.

Following his election to parliament Derek was appointed SNP Business Convenor (Chairman of the Party), responsible for chairing Conference, the National Executive and the management and administration of the SNP.

Elected to Renfrewshire Council in 1999, at the age of 21, to become the youngest male Councillor in Scotland at the time. He won three successive ward elections, to become Leader of Renfrewshire Council in May 2007, taking the SNP from opposition to lead the administration for the first time. He became a national figure in local government leading the SNP group at COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) 2009-2011.

Derek first got involved in politics at the age of 13 when a campaign was launched in his home town of Renfrew against the development of a toxic waste incinerator. The campaign was successful and Derek pursued political life, joining the SNP in 1994, and becoming a local Community Councillor and Crime Prevention Committee Vice Convenor.

Derek studied at Glasgow University, but instead of completing his degree focused on local politics, becoming a leading figure in the SNP's youth and student movements.

Whilst Council Leader, Derek secured major investment programmes for Renfrewshire in schools, housing, leisure and roads. In his final year as Leader the council received more Cosla (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) Excellence awards than any other authority in the history of the awards.

He served on Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board as a Non Executive Director and Chair of Renfrewshire Community Health Partnership (2007 - 2011). He was also previously chair of the Paisley Vision Board and Renfrewshire's Fairtrade Steering Group.

Derek enjoys reading, running, swimming and time at the gym. He is married with two children and continues to live in the constituency he represents.

Personal Interests:
Reading, running, going to the gym
Paisley Fairtrade Partnership

Professional Memberships:
CND
Amnesty International