Rt Hon Dr Jack McConnell MSP was appointed the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Conflict Resolution Mechanisms in October 2008. In his capacity as Special Representative, Mr McConnell represents the Prime Minister, supporting his ambition to improve the international mechanisms for conflict resolution.

From 2001 until 2007 Mr McConnell was the First Minister of Scotland.  
He represented Scotland on the EU Committee of the Regions, the British Irish Council and other bodies, and in 2004 he was President at the Conference of European Legislative Regions.

As First Minister, he established Scotland’s International Development policy; and established a co-operation agreement with Malawi.  

He introduced Scotland’s ban on smoking in public places, the Fresh Talent Programme to encourage in-migration, and a national youth volunteering programme.

Jack McConnell has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Motherwell & Wishaw since 1999, serving as Minister for Finance 1999/2000 and Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs 2000/2001.
He is currently an adviser to the Clinton Hunter Development Initiative in Malawi and Rwanda and an Ambassador for Action for Children UK.  He was elected an Honorary Fellow of the 48 Group Club for his work developing links with China.

Jack was born in Irvine in 1960, and grew up on a sheep farm on the Isle of Arran.  He was educated at Arran High School, and graduated from the University of Stirling.

Mr McConnell was a Mathematics teacher (1983-92) and member of Stirling District Council (1984-1992).  Serving as Treasurer (1988-92) and Council Leader (1990-1992).

Mr McConnell was a member of the Scottish Constitutional Convention (1989-98) and General Secretary of the Scottish Labour Party (1992-1998).

Jack McConnell enjoys music, gardening, and golf.  His wife, Bridget, is Chief Executive of Culture and Sport Glasgow.  Their daughter works in London with the British Council, and their son teaches in Scotland.