List of ministers' interests

Interests by minister

First Minister John Swinney MSP

2. Directorships and Shareholdings

The First Minister is a Director of the Logierait Bridge Company which is a private company that maintains a bridge in his constituency for public access.  It is a non-remunerated position.

3. Heritable Property

By virtue being the Leader of the Scottish National Party, the First Minister is a trustee  of an island, Eilean Mor of the MacCormaig Isles.  This is owned by the Scottish National Party.   It is a non-remunerated position.

6. Charities

• the First Minister is a member of the National Trust for Scotland and the Church of Scotland
• the First Minister contributes financially to the Church of Scotland; the Catholic Church; the RNLI; Mary’s Meals; SCIAF; and Christian Aid

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

The First Minister was an Honorary Professor at the Centre for Public Policy at the University of Glasgow.  He resigned from this post on becoming First Minister.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• a close family member works for the BBC.
• a close family member works for the SQA.
• a close family member works for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, Kate Forbes MSP

7. Any other relevant interests

The Deputy First Minister:

• is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales
• attends a local congregation of the Free Church of Scotland
• has responsibility for Highlands and Islands Enterprise in her Ministerial role which will be involved with strategic assets in her constituency
• has recused herself from any ministerial decision-making in relation to the Corran Ferry service which operates within her constituency. The Minister for Employment and Investment will take any decisions required on this matter within the Deputy First Minister’s portfolio and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government will provide Cabinet Secretary-level oversight as required

8. Interests of spouse, partner or close family member

• a close family member works as a chimney sweep covering a very broad range of housing tenures, including housing associations homes
• two close family members of the Deputy First Minister’s are joint shareholders in a company which runs a Bed & Breakfast. The Deputy First Minister does not participate in the business

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison MSP

7. Any other relevant interests

• has recused herself from any government decisions regarding the Dundee (Airport) to London PSO route given her constituency interests. The Minister for Employment and Investment has assumed Ministerial responsibility for such decisions.

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance MSP

6. Charities

• The Cabinet Secretary is Honorary President of the West Lothian Family History Society.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• HM Prison Addiewell is in the Cabinet Secretary’s Parliamentary Constituency.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• A close family member has a registered company which owns property, one of which the Cabinet Secretary uses periodically at weekends or during recess.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth MSP

1. Financial Interests

• The Cabinet Secretary has a teacher’s pension and has therefore recused herself from Ministerial decision making on changes to the employee contribution rate structure in the Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme to avoid any perception of a conflict of interest, even though her own pension will not be affected by this decision. This decision will be taken by Mr Arthur, the Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Cabinet Secretary is a registered teacher with the General Teaching Council for Scotland although does not currently wish to teach. Local arrangements have been put in place so that papers on GTCS registration will be sent to another Minister should any matters arise.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• A close family member is a member of the Oversight Board of “The Promise”. Policy responsibility for The Promise sits primarily with the Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise, Ms Don, who in turn reports directly to the First Minister. Oversight, and any Cabinet Secretary-level sign-off required in relation to funding, will be provided by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government.  
• A close family member is a Professor at the University of Glasgow and Associate Director at the Centre for Public Policy there.
• A close family member is a member of the Economic and Social Research Council’s strategic advisory network, which provides advice on what research should be funded in UK Higher Education institutions.
• A close family member of the Cabinet Secretary is a teacher. 

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Mairi Gougeon MSP

6. Charities

• The Cabinet Secretary is a trustee of Brechin Buccaneers.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray MSP

7. Any other relevant interests

• the Cabinet Secretary has a constituency interest in the Monklands Hospital Replacement Project and has recused himself from Government decisions on this issue.  The Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport Maree Todd MSP will take decisions on this issue
• the Cabinet Secretary has a constituency interest in the Hassockrigg Ecopark site.  While any decisions on the use of the site are likely to rest with Ministers responsible for waste management, should there be an NHS aspect arising in the future then another Health Minister would be asked to consider the issue

8. Interests of spouse, partner or close family member

• A close family member is a sheltered housing warden.
• A family member works for the Independent Living Fund (ILF) Scotland.
• A family member is a Junior Doctor with NHS Lothian.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop MSP

The Cabinet Secretary has campaigned in support of:

• proposed works to link the M8 with Falkirk and Grangemouth A801 (Avon Gorge) and has recused herself from Government decisions on this issue
• the Newton Village on long-standing speed, volume and type of traffic using the village rate than the M9 route to and from the Queensferry Crossing and has recused herself from Government decisions on this issue
• park and ride at the new junction 4A on the M8 at the Heartlands to reduce car commuting and transfer to bus into cities and has recused herself from Government decisions on this issue
• park and ride at new junction in Winchburgh to reduce car commuting and transfer to bus into cities and has recused herself from Government decisions on this issue

She has also been:

• a long standing campaigner in support of the train station planned for Winchburgh and has recused herself from government decisions on this issue
• active in successfully representing constituency concerns in the previous air space expansion plans for Edinburgh Airport and is currently representing constituents concerns about the airport's latest, second attempt to expand its airspace - she has recused herself from government decisions on this and related issues

The Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity will take decisions on all of the above issues.

In her MSP capacity, the Cabinet Secretary is representing constituents who are campaigning for a change in the law in relation to the failure to report an accident at section 170(7) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This law is reserved to the UK Government but to avoid any conflict of interest or a perception of one, the Cabinet Secretary has recused herself from lobbying the UK Government on this matter and, should there be any Government involvement in this matter, this will be led by the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity. Ms Hyslop has also recused herself from any government decision making related to this matter which might fall within devolved competence, though it is expected that any such decision making would, in any case, fall to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs.

Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin MSP

3. Heritable Property

• The Minister has ownership of a one bedroom holiday cottage on the Moray coast which is for family use only.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• A close family member is a Deputy Head Teacher at a school in Aberdeenshire.
• A close family member works at Scottish Enterprise and works on the same issue as the Cabinet Secretary to a common aim, so no conflict was identified.

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Rt Hon Angus Robertson MSP

2. Directorships and Shareholdings

• The Cabinet Secretary is Managing Director of both ASCR Ltd and Progress Scotland Ltd and is sole shareholder in both companies.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Cabinet Secretary recognises that within the Culture Portfolio there is a heavy concentration of cultural venues, organisations and festivals in the Edinburgh Central constituency.
• The Cabinet Secretary engages with the Edinburgh Festivals, for example attending performances, and as regards the work they do for international cultural links, but has recused himself on decisions on support for the Edinburgh Festivals including funding for EXPO and PLACE.
• The Cabinet Secretary recused himself from decisions about the Centre for Moving Image (CMI) and the future of the Filmhouse once it became clear that the CMI was entering into administration given his constituency interests.
• The Cabinet Secretary has recused himself from decision making on further funding support for the redevelopment of the King’s Theatre given his constituency interests.
• The Cabinet Secretary has recused himself from decisions on the Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh.
• The Cabinet Secretary meets with the national collections (National Galleries, National Library, National Museums) which have their main operations in Edinburgh Central. This is in the context of their broader contribution to cultural policy. He has recused himself from day to day decisions about the collections, on for example funding and Board appointments.
• The Cabinet Secretary has recused himself from decisions in relation to Screen Machine due to the company being headquartered in his constituency.
• The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic will take decisions on the portfolio matters that the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has recused himself from, with the exception of Screen Machine, where she also has a constituency conflict. On this matter, decisions will be taken by the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Finance
• The Cabinet Secretary has recused himself from decisions in relation to Summerhall, a cultural venue in Central Edinburgh. The Minister for Employment and Investment will assume responsibility for decisions in relation to Summerhall
• Mr Robertson’s book, Vienna, is published by Birlinn Ltd., whose managing director, Hugh Andrew, is also the Convener of Auchindrain Township, which currently receives funding from Historic Environment Scotland.  Decision making on the allocation of funding by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) sits with HES and not with Ministers.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• A close family member works for Citizens Advice Scotland and is a board member for MND Scotland.
• The Cabinet Secretary has recused herself from financial decisions which directly benefit Citizens Advice Scotland. The Minister for Housing, Mr McLennan, has portfolio responsibility for matters relating to welfare and debt advice services. Oversight, and any Cabinet Secretary-level sign-off required in relation to funding, will be provided by the Deputy First Minister. 

Acting Minister for Climate Action, Dr Alasdair Allan MSP

2. Directorships and Shareholdings

The Minister owns a share in a community shop and in a heritage centre, both in his constituency.  Neither attract any remuneration.

4. Sponsorship

The Minister has received small amounts of sponsorship each year from local businesses to partially offset the costs of a competition to design his official Christmas cards.  Any costs not met by the sponsorship are met by the Minister personally.  These donations are set out in his MSP register of interests.

6 Charities

• The Minister is a Patron of the Helping Hand Trust, which promotes connections between Norway and Leith.
• The Minister is a member of numerous organisations, many of them charities, as set out in his MSP interests.  This includes the paddle steamer preservation society, and has supported them in previous bids for public funding and is actively involved in the organisation, although does not hold any office.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Minister holds membership of various community organisations in the Western Isles, and in particular he is an associate member of Storas Uibhist (community landlord in South Uist).  This involves no active role beyond paying a supportive token £1.
• He is also a member of the Harris Development Trust.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

A close family member does data analysis / programming work for Creative Scotland.

9. Relationships with the Government of Close Acquaintances or Advisers

Several of the Special Advisers are long standing colleagues.

Given the direct implications for Dr Allan’s constituency, Dr Allan has recused himself from:

• energy projects, including ScotWind projects, that are in his constituency area; and
• energy projects concerning the power line upgrade to / through the Isle of Skye

The Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy will assume responsibility for decisions relating to these issues.

Minister for Employment and Investment Tom Arthur MSP

2. Directorships and Shareholdings

• The Minister owns a £1 share in Barrhead Housing Association, who are involved in delivering participatory budgeting in East Renfrewshire.

6. Charities

• The Minister is a member of the RSPB.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• Extended family members own a residential property and associated land on the Island of South Uist. The property is primarily a holiday let however is also occasionally used as a private residence to which the Minister and his wife have use. The property and land are situated within a designated National Scenic Area.

Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown MSP

The Minister confirmed that they had no relevant interests to declare.

Minister for Higher and Further Education, and Minister for Veterans Graeme Dey MSP

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

The Minister has recused himself from matters pertaining to his portfolio responsibilities where there are constituency interests in particular Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce, Tay Cities Developing the Young Workforce and Dundee and Angus College's estate plans.  Should any Ministerial decisions be required on such matters, they will be taken by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth MSP.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• A close family member works in the college sector.
• A close family member is a serving Firefighter.
• A close family member is an actor who on occasion works for the Scottish Government funded National Theatre of Scotland.

Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise Natalie Don-Innes MSP

6. Charities

The Minister is a member of the Humanist Society Scotland.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Minister was a local authority councillor from 2017 to 2022.
• One of the Minister’s children attends a private nursery.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

The Minister’s husband is a local Councillor with Renfrewshire Council.

Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie MSP

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

The Minister was a farmer and was member of the National Farmers Union of Scotland.

9. Relationships with the Government of Close Acquaintances or Advisers

The Minister knows James Whithers, owner of JR Withers Advisory Ltd and member of the Executive Board of the Scottish Tourism Alliance; and Ian Davidson, independent advisor for the Scottish Land Matching Service.  Both have or have had connections to the Scottish Government in an advisory capacity.

Minister for Parliamentary Business Jamie Hepburn MSP

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• A close family member works for the Scottish National Party.

Minister for Business, Richard Lochhead MSP

6. Charities

• The Minister is Honorary President of Tomintoul and Glenlivet Bowling Club.

Minister for Public Finance Ivan McKee MSP

2. Directorships and Shareholdings

The Minister owns 50 per cent of the ordinary share capital of EISM Properties Ltd, a rental business shared with his wife. He has no day to day dealings in the running of the company.

Prior to becoming an MSP the Minister held a number of directorships and shareholdings in a number of businesses.  These are listed in his MSP Register of Interests.

3. Heritable Property

The Minister owns a house in the Stirling local authority area from which he derives a rental income.  This is listed in his MSP Register of Interests.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

A close family member is a director of the following businesses:

• EISM Properties Ltd, sole director and 50 per cent share ownership; and
• Excel Assemblies Holdings Ltd, director and 5 per cent share ownership.  Holder of a loan note payable by the company.

A close family member’s partner works for the Scottish Legal Aid Board.

Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy Christina McKelvie MSP

9. Relationships with the Government of Close Acquaintances or Advisers

• The Minister’s partner is Keith Brown MSP.

Minister for Housing Paul McLennan MSP

3. Heritable Property

• The Minister has a joint mortgage over a property in Dunbar which is let out to his in-laws.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• A close family member works for Standard Life as Head of Relationship Management.
• A close family member works for Standard Life as a Portfolio Analyst.

Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health Jenni Minto MSP

6. Charities

• The Minister is a trustee of the Museum of Islay Life.

9. Relationships with the Government of Close Acquaintances or Advisers

• An extended family member is a civil servant working in the Scottish Government.
• An extended family member works in the Scottish Government Legal Directorate.
• An extended family member works for a Health Board.

Minister for Equalities Kaukab Stewart MSP

2. Directorships and Shareholdings

The Minister is a board member of the SSERC.

Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport Maree Todd MSP

6. Charities

• The Minister is a Patron of the John O’Groat Trail.
• The Minister is Vice President of Friends of the Far North Line.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Minister is a Registered member of the General Pharmaceutical Council.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

A close family member:

• is a Trustee at Tiny Changes
• a Non-Executive Director at New Start Highland
• a Non-Executive Director at Community Land Scotland Limited
• a Non Executive Director and Chair at Aban Outdoor Limited
• he volunteers at Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland.

9. Relationships with the Government of Close Acquaintances or Advisers

• A close family friend works at Albyn Housing Society.

Lord Advocate Rt Hon Dorothy Bain KC

1. Financial Interests

• The Lord Advocate’s outstanding income as an advocate has been declared in the Scottish Parliament’s register of interests.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Lord Advocate is a Member of Faculty of Advocates.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Lord Advocate’s spouse is a retired Senator of the College of Justice and is currently Chair of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry.

Solicitor General Ruth Charteris KC

5. Public Appointments

• The Solicitor General was Chair of the Fitness to Practise Panel of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) (now resigned).

6. Charities

• The Solicitor General is a member of Dowanvale Free Church of Scotland.
• The Solicitor General is a member of the Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Solicitor General is a former member of the Scottish Swimming Complaints Panel.