Neil Kinnock took up post as Chair of the British Council from 1 December 2004.

Nationality
British

Personal details
Born in Tredegar, South Wales, United Kingdom on 28 March 1942.
Married, two children.

Education
BA in industrial relations and history (Cardiff)
Postgraduate Diploma in Education.

Professional career
1966-70 Tutor, Organiser in industrial policy and trade union studies for the Workers' Educational Association
1970 Labour Member of Parliament for Bedwellty and Islwyn in South Wales
1970-79 Variously member of the House of Commons Public Expenditure Select Committee, Nationalized Industries Select Committee and European Legislation Select Committee
1974-75 Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Employment
1979 Labour's Chief Opposition Spokesperson on Education
1980 Elected member of Labour's Shadow Cabinet
1978-94 Member of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party
1988 Chairman of the National Executive Committee
1983 Privy Councillor
1983-92 Leader of the Labour Party, Vice-President of the Socialist International
1995-1999 Member of the European Commission, Transport (including trans-European networks)
1999-2004 Vice-President of the European Commission
Vice-President of the Socialist International