Jo Swinson

Biography

In September 2012, Jo Swinson became Minister for Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Women and Equalities Minister. She was elected as the Liberal Democrat MP for East Dunbartonshire in 2005.

Education

Jo was brought up in East Dunbartonshire, where she attended Douglas Academy in Milngavie. She studied Management at the London School of Economics.

Political career

Jo has previously been the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Equality, Scotland and the Arts.

Jo was a member of the Environmental Audit Select Committee from 2007 to 2010 and was also Chairperson of the Liberal Democrats Women’s Policy Working Group in 2009.

As a backbench MP, Jo co-founded the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Allergy, Wellbeing Economics, and Body Image. Jo is also a Governor of the Ditchley Foundation.

Jo was a member of the Speaker’s Conference from 2009 to 2010, which looked at ways to increase the number of women and black and minority ethnic MPs.

Career outside politics

After graduating in 2000, Jo worked in Yorkshire as Marketing and PR Manager for the Emap radio station Viking FM.

In 2002 Jo moved back to East Dunbartonshire and worked for Glasgow-based media business SpaceandPeople.

Personal life

Jo enjoys running and completed the Loch Ness Marathon in 2007 and the London Marathon in April 2011. She also likes reading, hiking, and ceilidh dancing.

Jo is married to fellow Liberal Democrat MP Duncan Hames and they have one son.