The Minister for Education

John O’Dowd was born and grew up in a rural community between Lurgan and Banbridge. He was educated at Lismore Comprehensive in Craigavon before moving on to Newry Catering College, after which he pursued a successful career as a Chef.

He has been a member of Sinn Fein for over 25 years, spending 14 years as a Councillor on Craigavon Council and being elected, in 2003, as MLA for Upper Bann. Between 2007 and 2011 he was Sinn Féin group leader in the Assembly and served as Chair of the Public Accounts Committee before becoming a member of the Education Committee in 2008. On 16 May 2011 he was appointed Minister of Education in the north’s Executive.

Mr O’Dowd is married with three young children.