LABOUR'S former shadow foreign secretary will advise an international law firm following his defeat at May's general election.
Douglas Alexander, who lost his Westminster seat to the SNP's rising star Mhairi Black, has taken on a role with Pinsent Masons.
The former cabinet member under both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown will offer strategic advice to the firm on responsible business, working alongside its senior bosses and liaising with clients. In the short term, he will also inform the firm's customers about the implications of the EU referendum.
Mr Alexander will split his time between his law firm job and his roles as a Senior Fellow at Harvard University, visiting professor at King’s College, London and advising U2 frontman Bono.
Ms Black, who defeated the ex-Labour MP in Paisley and Renfrewshire South by more than 5,000 votes, became the youngest MP in since at least the 1832 Reform Act when she secured her memorable victory.
Mr Alexander said: "I am very pleased to have the opportunity to work further with Pinsent Masons. The firm has a reputation for innovation not just in how it serves its clients, but in how it strives to deliver positive change in the global communities in which it operates. It is a firm that seems to think differently to the mainstream and that is what attracted me to them. I look forward to working with Richard and the senior leadership team at the firm."
Richard Foley, Senior Partner of Pinsent Masons, said: "Douglas has a stellar reputation as one of the most capable and engaging politicians of his generation. At the heart of Douglas' remit with us is the issue of responsible business and how organisations can rebuild bridges into society at a time when public trust is low.
"In short, it will be about helping executives do business the right way and for the right reasons. He will also bring his experience to bear on some of the major issues that businesses are currently facing. First and foremost on that agenda right now is how to engage with the debate around Europe's future, and there are few better-placed to provide perspectives on that than Douglas."
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