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Publication - Transparency data

Special advisers

Last updated
31 May 2024 - see all updates
Topic
Public sector

List of special advisers who provide advice across all portfolio areas in the Scottish Government.

The First Minister has appointed special advisers who provide advice across all portfolio areas in the Scottish Government.

Name

Role

Colin McAllister

Chief of Staff to the First Minister

  • First Minister's Strategic Programme in Government including Inter-governmental relations
  • Co-ordination of the Special Adviser team
  • Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands portfolio

Jeanette Campbell

 

 

Senior Special Adviser

  • Justice and Home Affairs portfolio
  • Parliamentary Business and Parliamentary Liaison

Ewan Crawford

 

 

Senior Constitution Special Adviser

  • Constitution and External Affairs portfolio (excl. Culture)

Leanne Dobson

 

 

Special Adviser

  • Net Zero portfolio (excl. Energy)

Jennie Gollan

 

 

Special Adviser

  • Health and Social Care portfolio

Kate Higgins

 

 

Senior Special Adviser

  • Transport portfolio
  • Coordination and liaison for Local Government and Trade Unions

Davie Hutchison

 

Senior Special Adviser

  • Finance portfolio
  • Energy portfolio
  • Culture portfolio (incl. Broadcasting)
  • First Minister's Questions
  • Coronavirus Inquiries

Ross Ingebrigtsen

 

 

Senior Communications Special Adviser and Deputy Political Spokesperson for the First Minister

  • Strategic communications planning
  • First Minister's Questions

Emily Mackintosh

 

 

Senior Communications Special Adviser

  • Senior Special Adviser to the Deputy First Minister
  • Economy portfolio
  • Oversight of business and economy engagement, and stakeholder management
  • Outreach and strategic stakeholder engagement
  • Media communications including communications and events support for the First Minister
  • Support for the First Minister and the First Minister’s Private Office

Sean McGivern

 

 

Special Adviser

  • Education and Skills portfolio
  • Veterans

Jack Middleton

 

 

Special Adviser

  • Media communications including communications and events support for the First Minister
  • Support for the First Minister and the First Minister’s Private Office
  • Outreach and stakeholder engagement

Emilie-Louise Purdie
 

 

Special Adviser

  • Social Justice portfolio (including Ukraine Resettlement)

Access previous versions of this content at the www.gov.scot archive. 

First published
17 February 2020
Last updated
31 May 2024 - show all updates

  1. Updated list to reflect portfolio breakdown by role.

  2. Updated to reflect changes following new cabinet announced on 8 May 2024

  3. Updated to remove Gavin Corbett

  4. Updated to amend roles for Callum McCaig, Jennie Gollan, Davie Hutchison and Emily Mackintosh.

  5. Updated to add secondary title to Callum McCaig's entry and amend Leanne Dobson.

  6. Updated to add Kevin Pringle and Emilie-Louise Purdie and amend Jeanette Campbell.

  7. Updated to add Sean McGivern

  8. Updated to reflect special adviser staff list following appointment of Humza Yousaf as First Minister.

  9. Updated for August 2022.

  10. Updated for April 2022.

  11. Updated for March 2022 and changed url from www.gov.scot/publications/special-advisers-february-2020/

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