Mark Ballard

Mark Ballard (born 27 June 1971) is a former Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Lothians region between 2003 and 2007 representing the Scottish Green Party, was Lord Rector of the University of Edinburgh between 2006 and 2009, and co-convener of the Edinburgh Green Party from 2007–10. He is now Assistant Director of Barnardo's in Scotland and Editor-in-Chief of progressive politics blog Bright Green.

Personal life

Ballard was born in Leeds, England on 27 June 1971. During his childhood he lived in Punjab, India (1973–1975) and Islamabad, Pakistan (1984–1985). He married Heather Stacey on 28 September 2002 and has two children, Adam, born in 2006 and Lucas born in 2009. He attends the Edinburgh Central Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends.

Education

He attended Lawnswood Comprehensive school in Leeds before going on to the University of Edinburgh, where he gained an MA (Hons) in Economic and Social History. He is a life member of the Edinburgh University Union, part of the Edinburgh University Students Association (EUSA). In February 2006 he was elected Rector of Edinburgh University (see below).