Name:Hugh Henry

Born: Glasgow

Age: 50

Education: Bachelor of accountancy

MSP for:Paisley South

Former Positions: Deputy minister for health and deputy social justice portfolio minister

Scotland's new deputy justice minister has one thing in common with his predecessor - both are not well known political figures at national level.

Before taking over from Dr Richard Simpson, Hugh Henry held two other deputy posts in the Scottish Executive.

In November 2001, he was appointed deputy health minister then moved onto the deputy social justice portfolio in May 2002.

Prior to that his career spanned periods in the public and private sectors as an accountant and laterly a politician.

Hugh Henry was born in Glasgow in 1952 and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Accountancy.

Before embarking on a career in politics he worked as an accountant, teacher, welfare rights officer and community care co-ordinator.

This all changed when he was elected to Renfrew District Council in 1984 as the local member for Erskine.

After serving for 15 years in this position he was appointed leader of West Renfrewshire Council in 1995.

In 1996 he took over the role as European spokesperson for Cosla.

'New approach'

Mr Henry held both of these posts until his election to the Scottish Parliament in May 1999 as the MSP for Paisley South.

He served as convenor of the Scottish Parliament's European Committee until he was given the role of deputy health minister in Jack McConnell's first radical cabinet reshuffle.

After another reorganisation of "Team McConnell" in May this year he was appointed as deputy social justice minister.

The Scottish Executive website credits him with driving forward "new approaches to neighbourhood management including a network of community wardens" in this role.

But just one year on from his first deputy minister role, Mr Henry now finds himself taking on the justice portfolio behind Jim Wallace.

He is married with three children and lives in Renfrewshire.