Paul Givan MLA was appointed Minister for the Department of Education in Northern Ireland in February 2024. He is a member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Paul was born in October 1981 and is from Lisburn, County Antrim.

He was educated at Laurelhill Community College and is a graduate of the University of Ulster where he obtained a degree in Business Studies.

During his time as a student, he also worked for Edwin Poots as an assistant and from 2003 on a full-time basis.
In 2005 at the age of 23 Paul was elected to Lisburn City Council.

Paul was Special Advisor to the Minister, Edwin Poots in the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure between 2007 and 2008.

In June 2010 Paul became an MLA when he was co-opted in the Lagan Valley constituency.

He served as Chair of the Justice Committee until September 2014.
Following the 2016 Assembly Election, Paul was appointed as Minister for the newly formed Department for Communities.
He was re-elected to the Assembly in 2017 and served as Chairman of the Committee for Justice until June 2021.
In June 2021 Paul was appointed as First Minister for Northern Ireland. He is the youngest person ever to hold that office.
He resigned on 4 February 2022 in line with his party’s opposition to the Northern Ireland protocol.
Paul is married to Emma and has three daughters.