Jackson Carlaw MSP is 52. Married to Wynne, a solicitor, both were brought up in the East Renfrewshire constituency and they have two sons.
Jackson Carlaw fought the East Renfrewshire Constituency in May 2007 Scottish Parliament election and substantially was elected as regional MSP for the West of Scotland. Following boundary changes, he contested the new Eastwood seat in 2011 and was again returned as a regional MSP for the West of Scotland.
Before entering politics, Jackson spent 25 years in the Scottish Motor Industry within a major Glasgow south side family motor retail business and subsequently acted as an independent business consultant.
Jackson has an extensive record of voluntary service within the Scottish Conservative Party. Recently he was Deputy Chairman of the Scottish Conservative Party 2005/2006 and a Member of the UK Board of the Conservative Party as well as serving on the Scottish Executive Committee 2003/2007.
Jackson previously served as Vice then Deputy Chairman of the Party having been appointed by John Major and subsequently William Hague 1992/1998. He was Chairman of the Eastwood Conservative Association 1988/1992. National Chairman of the Scottish Young Conservatives 1984/86 (and by extension an Officer of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Association) and has held several additional voluntary Party posts since joining East Renfrewshire Conservatives in 1978.
In May 2010, he was appointed Shadow Minister for Transport, Infrastructure & Climate Change.
He enjoys theatre, cinema, music, reading, light walking (!) and taking a general interest in supporting his sons' activities.