Biography

Michael was elected to the Scottish Parliament as an MSP for the North East Scotland Region on May 6th 2021.
 
Born and raised in Dundee, Michael is married to Melanie and they have three children. He joined the Labour Party as a teenager and has been a committed activist ever since.  
 
Michael was educated at St John’s High School, the University of Glasgow and the London School of Economics.  

Prior to his election as an MSP Michael worked full time at the University of Dundee where, for a decade, he led major national and international research projects. He specialised in working with companies to create jobs. In 2020 alone he secured £15m of investment to create jobs in Dundee and Angus.

In 2017 Michael was elected as a Councillor for the Lochee Ward in Dundee and held the role until 2022, when he stepped down following his election to the Scottish Parliament.

Michael coaches a local youth football team, took up running during lockdown and will be running the London Marathon in April 2023.

In March 2021 Michael was appointed as Scottish Labour's Spokesperson for Education and Skills and on the 10th April 2023, it was announced he was to become Scottish Labour's Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance.