Jim Murphy 2026 Speakers

“A member of His Majesty’s Privy Council, Jim was one of the UK’s most experienced government Ministers. Having served as a Labour MP for over two decades (1997 – 2015), Jim has held multiple Ministerial portfolios, including as a Secretary of State for Scotland from 2008 until the 2010 General Election.

He previously served as a government whip (2003–05) and Minster in three government departments, including as Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office (2005 – 06); Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform (2006 – 07); and Minister of State for Europe (2007–08).

During this time, Jim led the UK’s response to a variety of challenges, including the roll-out of e-Government, the ratifying of the Treaty of Lisbon and the organising the Papal State visit to the UK. As Minister for Europe, Jim oversaw the UK’s relations with the EU and its Member State Governments and was also responsible for the bilateral links between the UK and Turkey and Central Asia. Jim also led the UK’s diplomacy with Russia at a particularly difficult time in relations between the two nations. During 2008, he was one of a small team of Cabinet Ministers who served in a Cabinet sub-committee planning real time responses to the financial and banking crisis.

Jim was also previously Leader of the Scottish Labour Party and played a key role in the leadership team of the all-party Better Together campaign, touring Scotland for 100 public street meetings during the Scottish Independence Referendum.

During Labour’s time in Opposition, Jim also served as Shadow Secretary of State for Defence (2010 – 2013) and Shadow Secretary of State for International Development (2013 – 2014).

Arden Strategies
Jim founded Arden Strategies in 2015, and the company has expanded rapidly since.  Arden aims to provide authentic advice and insights to leaders and organisations on the political and policy landscape across all four nations of the UK using the unique experience of its team of strategists and advisers drawn from the worlds of politics, government, media and business.

It is one of only two agencies to be led by a former Labour Cabinet Minister.

Other interests
Jim is passionate about expanding opportunities for young people growing up in areas of disadvantage and earlier this year launched NextGenArden, a charity that gives grants to young adults living in Arden, the housing scheme where he grew up to help with the cost of training, going to college or university, starting an apprenticeship or the costs of starting a new job.

He is proud to have been voted the most effective Minister in government by politicians of all parties from the House of Commons and House of Lords.

He is a proud Glaswegian and a Celtic supporter. Jim is author of The 10 Football Matches that Changed the World and the One that Didn’t.”