Reginald Norman Morgan Empey was born on 26 October 1947 to Samuel Empey and Emily née Morgan. He was educated at the Royal School, Armagh, and Queen's University Belfast.

In 1975, Empey was elected to the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention, representing the Vanguard Unionist Progressive Party.

Empey was elected to Belfast City Council in 1985 and represented the Ulster Unionist Party. He served on council until 2010.

In 1998. Empey as elected as a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, representing the Ulster Unionist Party. He was subsequently re-elected in 2003 and 2007. Empey was Minister for Employment and Learning from 2007-2010, and Minister for Enterprise from 1999-2002.

Empey was leader of the Ulster Unionist Party from 2005-2010 and has acted as its chairman since 2012.

Empey was knighted in 1999 and awarded an OBE in 1994. In 2011, Empey was created a Life Peer, Baron Empey, of Shandon in the City and County Borough of Belfast.