Louise Macdonald

Louise Macdonald was appointed Director-General Communities in March 2023.

Before her current role, Louise was Director-General Economy which she took up in April 2022. Prior to joining the Scottish Government, Louise was National Director of the Institute of Directors Scotland and also served as CEO of the award-winning charity Young Scot for 13 years. 

In March 2016, Louise won the Institute of Directors (IoD) Scotland Director of the Year Award for Female Director of the Year and went on to be awarded IoD UK Third Sector Director of the Year. She was awarded an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours List 2015. 

As Director-General Communities, Louise provides strategic leadership on fairness and equalities and drives forward the public service reform agenda to build strong people-centred public services.