Joe Griffin

Joe Griffin was appointed Permanent Secretary on 7 April 2025.

Joe has been working for the Scottish Government since 2004. His roles include being Director-General for Strategy and External Affairs and Director-General Education and Justice.

His experience includes:

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

Earlier in his career, Joe was a diplomat at the UK Government Foreign and Commonwealth Office which included postings to New York and Paris.

Joe is married with three children and lives in Edinburgh.  Joe believes deeply in the potential of government in Scotland to deliver good outcomes and improve people’s lives.