Iain Macwhirter, whose campaign drew on many of Ballard's supporters. Career after Parliament After the 2007 election, Ballard became head of communications at the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, then was assistant director of Barnardo's in Scotland for eight years, before becoming Director of Strategy at Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland. In November 2017, he became Head of Save the Children in Scotland. He currently works for the children's charity Children 1st. Personal life Ballard has two children. Selected articles by Mark Ballard Last Word: New Challenges for the Greens in Holyrood, in Meikle, Mandy (ed.), Reforesting Scotland Issue 30, Autumn 2003, p. 54. Charities face tough times while businesses get aid The Herald, 24 July 2009 Can Local tax Ever be Fair? Scottish Left Review Vote for us! "Scottish Left Review" Books Robert McGeachy and Mark Ballard, The Public Affairs Guide to Scotland: Influencing Policy and Legislation, Welsh Academic Press, 2017 References External links archive of www.markballard.org.uk 1971 births Alumni of the University of Edinburgh Living people Scottish pacifists Rectors of the University of Edinburgh People from Leeds Scottish Green Party MSPs Scottish Quakers Members of the Scottish Parliament 2003–2007