15 Facts About Jamie Hepburn

James Douglas Hepburn was born on 21 May 1979 and is a Scottish politician who has served as the Minister for Parliamentary Business since May 2024.

Jamie Hepburn has served in numerous roles within the Scottish Government, first as Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health from 2014 to 2016, then as Minister for Employability and Training from 2016 to 2018, as Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills from 2018 to 2021, and then as Minister for Independence from 2023 to 2024.

Whilst a student, Jamie Hepburn ran the unsuccessful campaign for Alasdair Gray to become the Rector of the University of Glasgow and was the Senior Vice-President at the Glasgow University Students' Representative Council, a post once held by his SNP Parliamentary colleague Alasdair Allan.

Jamie Hepburn had been the SNP candidate for the Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East constituency at the 2005 general election.

Jamie Hepburn has worked for Alex Neil, a fellow SNP MSP.

Jamie Hepburn was elected during the 2007 election for the Central Scotland region, having contested the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth seat at that election, finishing second behind Cathie Craigie.

Jamie Hepburn was a member of the Scottish Parliament Rural Affairs and Environment Committee and a substitute member of the Equal Opportunities Committee until 26 June 2008 when he became a member of the European and External Relations Committee, and a substitute to the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee, before being switched to a substitute member of the Public Petitions Committee.

Jamie Hepburn subsequently was moved to the Public Audit and Equal Opportunities Committees towards the latter part of the third session of the Scottish Parliament.

Jamie Hepburn is the Deputy Convener of the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee.

Jamie Hepburn served as the convener of the Cross Party Group on Human Rights and Civil Liberties in the Scottish Parliament's third session.

Jamie Hepburn was placed third on the SNP list for Central Scotland for the 2011 Scottish Parliament election but was returned for the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth constituency.

Jamie Hepburn was one of six SNP MSPs to attend the "Big Blockade" event at the Faslane naval base organised by Faslane 365 on 1 October 2007 and has been active in calling for greater transparency about allegations that American government agencies facilitated extraordinary rendition flights through Scottish airports.

Jamie Hepburn has called for any Scottish airport that is being sold by BAA Limited to be brought under public control.

Jamie Hepburn has signed up to the People's Charter, a campaigning document prepared by trade unionists as an alternative to neoliberalism and has drawn criticism from some elements of the Scottish media for having tabled a motion on Venezuela.

Jamie Hepburn is a supporter of Partick Thistle Football Club and lives in Cumbernauld.