Following the formation of a new Government in the United Kingdom, Mr Alistair Darling has been appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, succeeding Mr Gordon Brown.
Alistair Darling, a 53 years old Scot, studied law at Aberdeen University. He worked as a solicitor in Edinburgh before being called to the Scottish Bar and admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1984. He has been the Member of Parliament for Edinburgh Central since 1987.
Mr Darling was the Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury from July 1996 to April 1997, Opposition Spokesman on the City and Financial Services between 1992 and July 1996 and in the Opposition Home Affairs Team from 1988-92.
He was Secretary of State for the Department of Work and Pensions from June 2001 to May 2002; Secretary of State for Social Security between July 1998 and June 2001, and Chief Secretary to the Treasury from May 1997 to July 1998.
Mr Darling was appointed Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in May 2006. Previously he was at the Department for Transport and Secretary of State for Scotland.