Director-General Strategy and External Affairs

Joe Griffin

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Joe Griffin was appointed Director-General Strategy and External Affairs in September 2023.

Responsibilities

The Director General for Strategy and External Affairs is focused on leading and supporting work on intergovernmental relations, oversight of strategic cross-cutting issues, external affairs (including Scotland’s relationship with the EU) and constitutional issues.

The Director-General Strategy and External Affairs is a member of our Corporate Governance Board.

Biography

He was previously Director-General Education and Justice.

Joe has been working for the Scottish Government since 2004 in mainly policy roles, including:

  • Director, Directorate for Safer Communities
  • Director, Directorate of Early Learning and Childcare
  • Deputy Director for Creating Positive Futures, Directorate for Children and Families
  • Acting Director for Fair Work 
  • Head of Reducing Reoffending, Directorate for Justice
  • Principal Private Secretary to the First Minister         

Before his move to Scotland, Joe was a diplomat at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office which included postings to New York and Paris. 

He is also co-covenor of the Race Equality Network and DG ally for race and faith and belief.

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