Iain spent his early years in Edinburgh before his family moved to Inverness. He went to George Watson's College in Edinburgh, then the Royal Academy in Inverness, where he was awarded the school dux before returning to study Physics at Edinburgh University.

He taught Maths and Physics in Edinburgh before leaving to teach in an agricultural technical school in Mozambique.

After seven years as a teacher trying to support young people to make the best of their opportunities, and twelve years with Oxfam organising for social justice and against poverty around the world, Iain Gray stood for the Scottish Parliament because he believed that it represented the best opportunity to make his own country fairer and more successful.
 
He has held 4 different Ministerial posts, including Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning, alongside Donald Dewar, Henry McLeish and Jack McConnell. He also spent 4 years as a Special Adviser to the then Secretary of State for Scotland, Alistair Darling. The experience gave him a unique understanding of how devolution works.

Iain became MSP for East Lothian in 2007 and was Leader of Labour in the Scottish Parliament from September 2008 to December 2011.
 
Outside of politics, Iain is a passionate Hibs supporter. He also enjoys reading, music and films.