Derek Brownlee

Derek Brownlee
Member of the Scottish Parliament
for South of Scotland
In office
6 May 2005 – 5 May 2011
Preceded by David Mundell
Personal details
Born 10 August 1974
Political party Scottish Conservative Party
Alma mater University of Aberdeen
Profession accountant

Derek Brownlee (born 10 August 1974) is a Scottish accountant and politician, who is a former Conservative Member of the Scottish Parliament for the South of Scotland Region (2005–2011).

Background

Brownlee grew up in Selkirk, Scottish Borders and went to Selkirk High School. He graduated in Scots Law LLB (Hons) from the University of Aberdeen in 1996, and then trained as a Chartered Accountant.

Brownlee worked as a chartered accountant at Ernst & Young (1996–2002), Institute of Directors (2002–2004) and Deloitte (2004–2005), advising large and small businesses before his entering the Scottish Parliament.

Political career

2003 Scottish Parliament election

Brownlee had previously fought the Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale constituency at the 2003 Scottish parliament election, finishing fourth but within 1,500 votes of winning the seat.

MSP (2005-2011)

He became an MSP after David Mundell resigned his seat at Holyrood following his election as MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale constituency in the 2005 General Election. Brownlee was next on the Conservative's list for the South of Scotland region. After Annabel Goldie became leader of the Scottish Conservatives, he was appointed their finance spokesman.

Brownlee contested the Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale seat in the Holyrood elections of 2007, coming third - pushing the Labour candidate into fourth place. He was again elected as an additional member for the South of Scotland region.

After the 2007 Election Election Derek was again appointed to the Scottish Parliament's Finance Committee and is also a member of the Scottish Commission for Public Audit. In 2010 Derek was selected by the East Lothian Conservative Party to fight the East Lothian at the 2011 Holyrood Election. In a ballot of party members, Derek was elected top of the South Scotland list. However, due to the Conservatives taking three constituency seats in the region, he failed to be re-elected to the Scottish Parliament in the 2011 election.

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