Ian became MP for Edinburgh South on 6th May 2010. Ian was born to a cooper father and shop worker mother in 1976. Brought up in Wester Hailes, Ian when to Dumbryden primary school, then Wester Hailes Education Centre. Ian enrolled at Edinburgh University at the age of 16. He supported his studies with part-time job in a local fish & chip shop, where he then set up and ran a pizza delivery service. Ian studied Social Policy and Law and graduated with an Honours degree at the age of 20. He went on to work at the Royal Blind Asylum and then in pensions management after graduating. After this Ian was head hunted by an Edinburgh based internet television station (worldart.com) during the dot.com boom where he helped to build a new online TV station. Ultimately, the company ran out funding but, after being made redundant, Ian progressed to set-up his own event management business, 100mph Events Ltd. As an event manager, Ian ran the largest arts festival in Europe for 7 years, during which time he was involved in television production, artistic programming, sponsorship and financial management and all other areas of the business from building scaffolding to presenting artists. Ian's proudest moment as an event manager was his concert with Billy Bragg, Chrissie Hynde, Steve Earle, Joan Baez and Emmy-Lou Harris, which raised over £100,000 for the Landmine for a Free World Charity in 2004. Ian's event management experience has included organising live music concerts, broadcast over the internet, from various of Edinburgh's large music venues. Ian also organised a student exchange programme in Nepal to fund school buildings and staff.In 2003, Ian stood for the Council in Liberton and won a seat at the age of 27. He has continued to be a Councillor in this part of the world since. Ian has been involved in the hospitality trade, having rennovated and operated 3 establishments during the last 6 years with his partner of 10 years, Hannah. He was responsible for working with the police to set-up a pub watch scheme in the Newington area. Ian is a Trustee of the Great War Memorial Committee which built and maintains the only Edinburgh War Memorial on the Somme. His interest in wildlife and conservation includes a longstanding support for Care for the Wild and it's polar bear research programme. Ian is a member of Amnesty International, USDAW Union and the Fabian SocietyIn rare moments of spare time, Ian enjoys reading, watching films, inexpertly playing tennis and football, going to live concerts, visiting art galleries & museums and cooking.