Mark Drakeford MS

Mark Drakeford was a Member of the Welsh Parliament between May 2011 and April 2026. This was his biography at the time he left.

Personal history

Mark was born and brought up in West Wales before moving to Cardiff West in the 1970’s.

Professional background

Mark is a former probation officer, youth justice worker and Barnardos project leader in the Ely and Caerau areas. He was also Professor of Social Policy and Applied Social Sciences at Cardiff University, and taught at Swansea University.

Political history

Mark was a County Councillor representing Pontcanna in the 1980’s. Between 2000 and 2010, Mark worked as the health and social policy adviser to the Welsh Ministers, and was latterly head of the First Minister’s political office. Mark was first elected to represent Cardiff West in 2011, and was re-elected in 2016 and 2021. Between 2013 and 2018, Mark held the Health, Local Government and Finance portfolios as a Minister in the Welsh Government. In December 2018 he became First Minister of Wales.