Nicola Richardson

Nicola Richardson was appointed Chief Allied Health Professions Officer (CAHPO) for Scotland in September 2026.

A qualified Occupational Therapist, Nicola has held a range of clinical, educational and leadership roles across acute, community and academic settings. Before joining the Scottish Government, she was Director of Allied Health Professions at NHS Tayside.

Nicola is committed to improving services through quality improvement, innovation and workforce development. She also has a strong interest in research and is currently undertaking a professional doctorate.