Ivan McKee

Ivan McKee MSP
Official portrait, 2021
Minister for Public Finance
Incumbent
Assumed office 9 May 2024
First Minister	John Swinney
Preceded by	Tom Arthur
Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise
In office 20 May 2021 – 29 March 2023
First Minister	Nicola Sturgeon
Preceded by	Jamie Hepburn
Succeeded by	Richard Lochhead
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Provan
Incumbent
Assumed office 5 May 2016
Preceded by	Paul Martin
Majority	7,230 (24.0%)
Personal details
Born	September 1963 (1963-09) (age 61) Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire
Political party	Scottish National Party
Alma mater	University of Strathclyde Newcastle University
Website	www.ivanmckee.scot

Ivan Paul McKee (born September 1963) is a Scottish politician who has served as Minister for Public Finance since May 2024.^[1] He previously served as Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise from 2021 to 2023. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), he has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Glasgow Provan since 2016.^[2]

Early life and education

Brought up in Glasgow, McKee obtained a BSc.BEng in Manufacturing Sciences and Engineering from the University of Strathclyde and an MBA from Newcastle University.^{[citation needed]}

Industrial and business career

In 1986 he began a two-year period of voluntary service in Bangladesh with VSO.^[3] Following this, McKee worked for a variety of manufacturing companies. In 2005 he set up his own international manufacturing consultancy business and from 2009 to 2015 invested in, and successfully turned around, a number of manufacturing businesses including the purchase of distressed assets from Dunfermline-based Simclar whilst in Administration.^[4]

McKee has significant international experience having managed businesses in Scotland, England, Poland, Finland, Croatia and Bosnia.^{[citation needed]}

Political activity

McKee joined the Labour Party in 1980, leaving in the late 1990s. He returned to political activism during the Scottish Independence Referendum as a Director of Business for Scotland, making the business and economic case for a Yes vote. After joining the SNP in November 2014, McKee was selected to contest the Glasgow Provan seat for the Party at the 2016 Scottish Parliament election. He was Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work 2016–18.^[5] He backed Kate Forbes in the SNP leadership race in February 2023.

In May 2024, First Minister John Swinney appointed McKee as Minister for Public Finance, as part of his inaugural government.

Other

McKee is a former Trustee of the charity CEI which supports educational and health projects in rural Bangladesh. He was formerly a member of the Board of Common Weal. In 1996 McKee took part in an aid convey to Bosnia with charity Edinburgh Direct Aid.^[6]

Personal life

McKee is married and lives in Glasgow with his wife Ewa, whom he met in Poland. He has four children, all from previous relationships.^[7]

He is an atheist.^[8]

References

1. "Full ministerial team confirmed". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
2. "Election 2016: Glasgow Provan. Scottish Parliament constituency". BBC News. 6 May 2016.
3. "A wealth of service". The Scotsman. 22 February 2008. Archived from the original on 10 April 2019.
4. "Greenfold Partners acquire assets of Simclar". Manchester Evening News. 12 January 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
5. "Ian McKee". www.parliament.scot. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
6. "The business of politics: Interview with Ivan McKee". Holyrood Website. 6 October 2021.
7. "The business of politics: Interview with Ivan McKee". Holyrood Website. 6 October 2021.
8. "Business minister Ivan McKee backs Kate Forbes as next First Minister and SNP leader". The National. 17 February 2023.

External links

• Scottish Parliament profiles of MSPs: Ivan McKee
• profile on SNP website
• personal website