Director-General Strategy and External Affairs
Shona Riach was appointed the interim Director-General Strategy and External Affairs in April 2025.
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
Shona was previously the Director for External Affairs and Culture.
Prior to joining the Scottish Government, Shona represented the United Kingdom on the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund between 2018 and 2023. She has led at a senior level in various policy and delivery roles in the Home Office and HM Treasury.
Shona is a graduate of the University of Strathclyde and the University of Sussex and was awarded a CB in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2023.