Ian Blackford

Following Ian’s success at the 2015 General Election winning the trust of voters to represent the constituency of Ross, Skye and Lochaber, he was appointed Pensions Spokesperson for the SNP Westminster Group. Throughout that Parliament he fronted an energetic team, who campaigned on issues that looked to ensure a fair deal for pensioners. This was displayed most prominently in championing the WASPI ladies cause in Parliament at every opportunity.

After the culmination of the 2017 snap General Election, Ian was elected by his fellow MP’s as the SNPs Westminster Parliamentary Leader. For over five years Ian felt privileged to lead such a dynamic, hardworking team of MP’s, as they fought to ensure that Scotland’s voice is heard at Westminster. After stepping down from the role as Leader of the Westminster Group, Ian took on a new role supporting the First Minister in building support for independence amongst the business community.

Ian was born and bred in Edinburgh and educated at the Royal High. Following his first job working at Bank of Scotland as a teller, life quickly took Ian to London.  It’s in this city that his career and expertise in finance began, working his way from the bottom all the way up the ladder, eventually culminating in him leading Deutsche Bank operations in both The Netherlands and Scotland.

Having first joined the SNP at the age of 16, the vast majority of Ian’s life has been dedicated to the dream of Scottish Independence and bringing with it a fairer society.  He has a love of football and more specifically Hibernian FC.  For many years he was a season ticket holder at the famous Easter Road Stadium.  Ian also passionately follows the Scottish football team, a support which has seen him travel with the Tartan Army all over the globe.

Ian, along with his wife Ann, moved to the picturesque Isle of Skye in 2004, buying a croft that had previously been in Ann’s family for hundreds of years.  Here they raise livestock and participate in island life.