Biography

Liam has strong ties with Orkney. In 1977, his parents moved to Sanday, where they still live and work. He attended Sanday school and Kirkwall Grammar before spending a school year in Mexico on the international AFS programme.

After graduating with a Politics degree from Edinburgh University, Liam joined Jim Wallace, former MP and MSP for Orkney as his researcher in the House of Commons. He was involved in all aspects of his parliamentary, constituency and party work.

After the 1992 general election, Liam took up a post in the European Commission External Affairs directorate before embarking on a career in consultancy - spending eight years in Brussels and London helping companies, associations and charities engage with the political process at EU and UK levels.

In 2002 he was appointed by Jim Wallace as Special Adviser to the Deputy First Minister. He spent three years advising Liberal Democrat Ministers on policy issues including enterprise, energy, lifelong learning, agriculture, fisheries and environment.

A football enthusiast, Liam played in Orkney's inter-county team and for Scottish Universities, while captain of Edinburgh University. His other interests include music, reading and fundraising for charities supporting victims of serious sports injuries.

Liam is married to Tamsin and has two young sons, Calum (6) and Tom (3).