Top jobs for former Scottish Labour ‘big guns’

Former Chancellor Alistair Darling has been appointed to the board of directors of global finance firm Morgan Stanley.

The news comes after former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and former Scottish secretary Douglas Alexander were awarded top global finance jobs.

Morgan Stanley chairman and chief executive James Gorman said: “I am very pleased to welcome Mr. Darling to our Board.  He brings strong leadership experience, as well as insight into both the global economy and the global financial system.

“As Chancellor of the Exchequer he played a central role in responding to the financial crisis.  The Board, our management and our shareholders will greatly benefit from his experience and perspective.”

Yesterday Gordon Brown was appointed to the global advisory panel for asset management firm Pimco. The five-strong panel consists of "world-renowned experts on economic and political issues" to help the firm administer about $1.47tr of assets for its clients.

Alexander, who lost his Paisley and Renfrewshire South seat to 20-year-old Mhairi Black in May, has taken up a job with U2 singer Bono to secure investment in development to tackle global poverty, particularly in Africa.