Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education
Mr Macpherson was appointed Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education in May 2026.
Responsibilities
Supports the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic.
- apprenticeships and Skills Development Scotland
- careers and young person's transitions to work
- innovation, scientific engagement and advice
- Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland (OCSA)
- artificial intelligence policy and strategy
- science and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)
- tertiary education
- adult learning and lifelong learning
- community learning and development
- international education strategy
- non-advanced vocational skills
- qualifications and accreditation
- Scottish Funding Council (SFC)
- student support
- widening access
- youth work
- young people's arts and music
- UNESCO World Heritage
- university research
Biography
He grew up in Edinburgh before studying a BA Honours degree in Philosophy and Politics at the University of York. After graduating he returned to Edinburgh and worked in a number of different roles before going on to complete a postgraduate LLB and a Diploma in Legal Practice at the University of Edinburgh. He then qualified as a solicitor and practised as a lawyer with one of Scotland’s large commercial firms. As well as his legal training, he has worked in financial services, for an NGO, in renewable energy, in a school and in hospitality.
Mr Macpherson was elected in 2016 as the MSP for the Edinburgh Northern and Leith constituency, where he lives.
His previous ministerial roles included the portfolios of:
- Europe, migration and international development
- public finance and migration
- rural affairs and the natural environment
- social security and local government
- further and higher education
Beyond working and campaigning, he enjoys running, football and watching films and documentaries.
- Read more about Ben Macpherson on the Scottish Parliament website.