Shamin lives in Pencaitland with her partner and their two children. After studying biotechnology at Abertay University, Shamin was elected President of her Students’ Association and went on to serve as the President of NUS Scotland.

Before first being elected in May 2012, she had spent most of her career working in the voluntary sector, including more than a decade with SCVO, the national umbrella body for Scottish charities. She is also a long standing trade unionist and a member of Unite the union.

Shamin currently serves as the Council’s Cabinet Spokesperson for Health and Social Care and is a member of the NHS Lothian Board. Between May 2012 and February 2021 she was the Cabinet Spokesperson for Education and Children’s Services.  She is Deputy Leader of the Council and Chair of the Labour Group.

Shamin can be contacted at:

Office telephone: 01620 827019
Mobile telephone: 07718 669395
Email: sakhtar@eastlothian.gov.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/shaminakhtar
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cllrshaminakhtar