What did Scottish party leaders do before politics?
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The leaders of Scotland's largest parties have faced off in televised debates ahead of next week's election
Reform UK's Malcolm Offord has hit the headlines after revealing in a televised election debate that he owns six boats - as well as six houses and five cars.
The former banker made the comment as he sought to emphasise his experience outside the world of politics.
With just a week to go before the Holyrood election, here is a reminder of what the leaders of the country's six largest parties did before launching their political careers.
Reform's Scottish leader says he owns six houses, six boats and five cars
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Malcolm Offord, Reform
Lord Offord was born in Greenock and describes his upbringing as "lower-middle class".
He later studied law at the University of Edinburgh,
telling the BBC's Scotcast
he lived on a diet of Scotch pies and beans, and that he still eats a Scotch pie most days.
Offord became a banker in London, where he later founded the investment firm Badenoch and Co.
After being given a life peerage by Boris Johnson in 2021, Offord took up a ministerial role in the UK government.
He stepped back from the House of Lords after defecting to Reform.
Who is Reform UK's Scottish leader Malcolm Offord?
Malcolm Offord: The Scotcast leader interview
John Swinney, SNP
First Minister John Swinney was born and raised in the capital and attended the University of Edinburgh.
He graduated with a degree in politics in 1986.
Although Swinney is Scotland's longest-serving elected parliamentarian, he did have a life before politics.
After leaving university, Swinney took up a role with the Scottish Coal Project, before spending five years at Scottish Amicable Life Assurance.
Who is SNP leader John Swinney?
John Swinney: The Scotcast election interview
Anas Sarwar, Labour
As Anas Sarwar is quick to mention, he was an NHS dentist before becoming a politician.
The son of
millionaire businessman Mohammad Sarwar
- the UK's first Muslim MP - he attended the private Hutchesons' Grammar School in Glasgow.
After school he studied dentistry at the University of Glasgow.
Sarwar spent five years as an NHS dentist in Paisley, before succeeding his father as MP for Glasgow Central in 2010.
Who is Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar?
Anas Sarwar: The Scotcast election interview
Russell Findlay, Conservatives
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay is a relative newcomer to frontline politics, having first been elected as an MSP in 2021.
From Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire, he studied journalism at Edinburgh Napier University.
He spent the next 30 years working for the Sunday Mail, Scottish Sun, STV and several other outlets, becoming a renowned organised crime reporter.
In 2015, while working for The Scottish Sun,
Findlay survived an acid attack
from a man who came to his door disguised as a postman. The then investigative reporter made a full recovery and his attacker was jailed.
His political career began in 2020, when he joined the Scottish Conservatives as director of communications.
Who is Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay?
Russell Findlay: The Scotcast election interview
Alex Cole-Hamilton, Lib Dems
Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton moved to Scotland from Hertfordshire, England, as a child.
He went to school in St Andrews before studying politics and international relations at the University of Aberdeen.
After graduating he worked for children's charities, including YouthLink Scotland and Aberlour.
Cole-Hamilton made several unsuccessful attempts to be elected to Holyrood before he won the Edinburgh Western seat in 2016.
Who is Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton?
Alex Cole-Hamilton: The Scotcast leader interview
Gillian Mackay and Ross Greer, Greens
Scottish Green co-leaders Gillian Mackay and Ross Greer have both enjoyed rapid rises into frontline politics.
Mackay, from Grangemouth, studied marine biotechnology and biodiversity at Heriot-Watt University.
She
described herself as an "accidental" MSP
, having applied for an internship with the Greens due to a lack of opportunities in marine science.
She later took up a role as a party staffer, before being elected to Holyrood in 2021 aged 29.
Greer, from Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, cut short a degree in politics and psychology to take up a job with Yes Scotland ahead of the 2014 independence referendum.
Aged 21, he became Holyrood's youngest-ever MSP when he was elected in 2016.
Who are Scottish Green leaders Ross Greer and Gillian Mackay?
Gillian Mackay: The Scotcast election interview
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