DELIVERING FOR SCOTLAND IN EUROPE

I was born in St Andrews, Fife, the eldest son of a farming family in East Fife where I still live. I am married to Louise and have three grown-up children.


Educated at Glenalmond and St Andrews University, graduating MA (Hons) in Moral Philosophy and Political Economy, I started my career in banking in London, New York, Milan and Edinburgh. Since 1973 I have managed a financial consultancy from St Andrews, focusing on international finance and business development in Europe.

I was elected to serve in the European Parliament as member for Mid-Scotland and Fife in 1979 - 1984 and again, representing the whole of Scotland, in 1999 - 2004.

Current Appointments:

• Vice Chairman of Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
• Member of Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy Committee
• Member of European Parliament Delegation to Mashreq countries (Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq) and to the Gulf States

Previous Appointments 1979 -1984:

• Conservative Group Spokesman on Energy, Research and Technology
• Group Whip
• Vice Chairman European Parliament Delegation to the Gulf States

Chairman Scottish Conservative Party Economic Affairs Committee (1986 – 1997)
Vice President Scottish Conservative & Unionist Association (1988-1990)

Current Areas of Political Work


Because of my experience in the financial world I have been able to bring my background knowledge to bear within the European Parliament. As Vice Chairman of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, my responsibilities are to chair the committee when the chairman is absent, to help decide the committee’s agenda and priorities, to head delegations to other countries and participate in decision-making dialogues with the Council of Ministers and the European Commission.

This Committee is the only democratic interface with the European Central Bank and the European Investment Bank. It also deals with competition policy, financial services and taxation.

I am also a full member of the Industry, Trade, Research and Energy Committee where I specialise in biotechnology and research matters.