Carwyn Jones was born in Swansea in 1967, but grew up in the town of Bridgend.  

He is married to Lisa and has two children, Seren and Ruairi, who go to Ysgol Bro Ogwr in Brackla. He went to Bryncethin Junior School and Brynteg Comprehensive before entering Aberystwyth University in 1985. At Aberystwyth he was the Chair of the University Labour Club and was the Student Union’s Vice President (External Affairs) for a year.  After gaining a law degree, he studied at the Inns of Court School of Law in London where he was called to the Bar. He also holds a Diploma in Legal Aspects of Medical Practice from Cardiff University and is an Honorary Fellow of Bangor University. 

He practised as a barrister during the 1990s from chambers in Cardiff and Swansea, and he was also a Professional Tutor at Cardiff University for two years. 

In 1995 he was elected as a member of Bridgend County Borough Council for the Coity Higher ward and was elected for the Pendre ward in 1999 before resigning his seat in 2000 to concentrate on Assembly duties. During 1998-9 he was the Chair of the County Borough Council Labour Group. 

In 1999 he was elected to the National Assembly and was elected to the Labour Group Executive and as Chair of the South East Regional Committee. In February 2000 he was appointed as Deputy Minister for Local Government, Finance and Land. 

He was appointed as Minister for Rural Affairs in July 2000, a position which saw him handling the foot and mouth crisis in 2001. 

In February 2002 he became Minister for Open Government, which he held until the election of 2003. 

After that election, he became Minister for Environment, Planning and the Countryside, a position which he held until May 2007. 

Following a brief period as Education and Heritage Minister, he has held the position of Counsel General and Leader of the House. This means that he is responsible for organising and programming government business through the Assembly, and is the Government’s chief law adviser.  

Carwyn enjoys sport, particularly rugby of both codes, although as an observer these days. In his spare time, he is a taxi service for the children and when time allows likes to do some walking and cycling and play some golf.

View Carwyn's Video biography here