Liam, who grew up in Fife where he attended Glenrothes College, graduated in Physics at Heriot-Watt University, where he was both the Students' Association Vice-President (Education & Welfare) and subsequently President.

He went on to be elected as Deputy President and President of NUS Scotland, before subsequently being elected as NUS UK President for 2011/12.

Liam has been an Officer within the European Students' Union and has been involved in Quality Assurance processes both on a national and European level through QAA, ENQA and EQAR.

As President of NUS, Liam is responsible for leading on the organisation's Priority campaign, calling for reinvestment of public funding in tertiary education and an end to the current tuition fees regime. NUS itself in a confederation of over 200 students' unions across the UK and represents over seven million students. It works to promote, defend and extend students rights as well as promoting strong and active students' unions.