Michael McGimpsey is one of Northern Irelands best known political figures. 

As Minister for Health Social Services and Public Safety in the Northern Ireland Executive, Michael is responsible for over 70,000 professionals working in health and social care, ambulance and the fire service and has an annual budget of approximately £4 billion pounds.  Since taking office on 8 May 2007, Michael has hit the ground running with a range of initiatives including confirmation of the new southwest hospitals in Enniskillen and Omagh, the creation of a board of experts for mental health and learning disability and his desire to see much more investment being made in the Health Service going forward.

Michael was born in Donaghadee, County Down.  An old boy of Regent House, Newtownards, Michael graduated from Trinity College Dublin.

A businessman by profession Michael has had interests in building, hotels and the hospitality industry for many years.

In 1986 along with his brother Chris (former UUP Officer and Councillor), Michael challenged the Anglo-Irish Agreement by bringing a suit against the Irish government in the High Court of the Republic of Ireland.  The case helped to raise the profile of the Unionist cause and the issue of consent which was eventually addressed through the signing of the Belfast Agreement in 1998.

Having been elected as an Ulster Unionist Councillor in 1993 to represent the Laganbank ward on Belfast City Council, Michael was elected to the new Northern Ireland Assembly in 1998.  With a full time office in the heart of South Belfast, Michael and his team offer a professional and friendly service to all constituents. 

Upon devolution of power from Westminster in 1999, Michael was appointed to serve as Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure in the first Northern Ireland Executive.  With a passion for sport and arts, Michael spearheaded the football strategy and was instrumental in ensuring that the Irish Language and Ulster Scots movement received further investment.  He also pioneered the unlocking creativity strategy which set out how creativity could be advanced across the social and economic spectrums in Northern Ireland

Michael is married to Maureen and has a son and a daughter.  He loves spending time with his family, is a keen gardener and enjoys travelling, walking, reading and watching sport.