Allan lives in Kilbirnie. He was involved in the creation of Radio City Association and currently serves as Secretary.

Allan is a former Trade Union official including as Head of Higher education for UNISON. Allan also served as a member of the Scottish Executive in a range of policy portfolios including as Minister for Tourism, Culture, Sport and Planning, Minister for Environment and Rural Development and as Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning. 

Since leaving the Scottish Parliament, Allan has been involved in a number of successful projects in a variety of sectors including social enterprise and economic regeneration, renewable energy, education, transport, environment, construction and planning, the food and drink sector as well as the hospitality and hotel sector and sport and leisure industry. 

Allan is also the Chairperson of The Big Cran Company CIC, owners of one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks the Finnieston Crane in Glasgow which Big Cran CIC aim to regenerate.