List of ministers' interests

Interests by minister

First Minister The Rt Hon Humza Yousaf MSP

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The First Minister’s wife is a therapist.
• The First Minister’s wife owns a rental property in Dundee.
• The First Minister’s wife is a councillor. The First Minister has taken steps to recuse himself from any decisions relating to Ward 3 in Dundee City Council.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance Shona Robison MSP

7. Any other relevant interests

The Deputy First Minister:

• is hosting two Ukrainian displaced people, a couple, under the Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme
• has recused herself from any government decisions regarding the Dundee (Airport) to London PSO route given her constituency interests. The Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance has assumed Ministerial responsibility for such decisions

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance MSP

6. Charities

• The Cabinet Secretary is Honorary President of the West Lothian Family History Society.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• HM Prison Addiewell is in the Cabinet Secretary’s Parliamentary Constituency.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Cabinet Secretary’s husband has a registered company which owns property, one of which the Cabinet Secretary uses periodically at weekends or during recess.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth MSP

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Cabinet Secretary is a registered teacher with the General Teaching Council for Scotland although does not currently wish to teach. Local arrangements have been put in place so that papers on GTCS registration are sent to another Minister.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Cabinet Secretary’s wife is a member of the Oversight Board of “The Promise”. Policy responsibility for The Promise sits primarily with the Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise, Ms Don, who in turn reports directly to the First Minister. Oversight, and any Cabinet Secretary-level sign-off required in relation to funding, will be provided by the Deputy First Minister. 
• The Cabinet Secretary’s wife was a Board member of Sistema Scotland until June 2023.
• The Cabinet Secretary’s wife is a Professor at the University of Glasgow and Director of the John Smith Centre there.
• The Cabinet Secretary’s wife is a member of the Economic and Social Research Council’s strategic advisory network, which provides advice on what research should be funded in UK Higher Education institutions.
• A close family member of the Cabinet Secretary worked at St Andrews University until June 2023.
• A close family member of the Cabinet Secretary is a teacher. 

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Mairi Gougeon MSP

6. Charities

• The Cabinet Secretary is a trustee of Brechin Buccaneers.

Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy Neil Gray MSP

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• A close family member is an Agile Product Owner at Quorum Cyber.
• An extended family member is a CAD for SSEN.
• An extended family member is a compensation and benefits supervisor for Stena Drilling.
• An extended family member is an Emergency Response Technician with Petrofac at Repsol-Sinopec Flotta Oil Terminal. 

Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care Michael Matheson MSP

3. Heritable Property

• The Cabinet Secretary jointly owns a property with his wife on the Isle of Skye. The property is used for both personal and rental purposes, with his wife operating the rental business.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Cabinet Secretary is a qualified Occupational Therapist although no longer holds state registration.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Cabinet Secretary’s wife is employed by Renfrewshire Council as a social worker.
• An extended family member is employed by Saltire Heating Services, who are involved in the Scottish Government heating installation programme.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition Mairi McAllan MSP

6. Charities

• The Cabinet Secretary is a member of the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Cabinet Secretary’s husband is a farmer. The farm has from time to time been approached in respect of marginal aspects of surrounding local renewable energy projects.

9. Relationships with the Government of Close Acquaintances or Advisers

• A close family member is a senior Scottish Government Official currently holding post of Director of Covid Recovery and Public Service Reform.

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Rt Hon Angus Robertson MSP

2. Directorships and Shareholdings

• The Cabinet Secretary is Managing Director of both ASCR Ltd and Progress Scotland Ltd and is sole shareholder in both companies.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Cabinet Secretary recognises that within the Culture Portfolio there is a heavy concentration of cultural venues, organisations and festivals in the Edinburgh Central constituency.
• The Cabinet Secretary engages with the Edinburgh Festivals, for example attending performances, and as regards the work they do for international cultural links, but has recused himself on decisions on support for the Edinburgh Festivals.
• The Cabinet Secretary recused himself from decisions about the Centre for Moving Image (CMI) and the future of the Filmhouse once it became clear that the CMI was entering into administration given his constituency interests.
• The Cabinet Secretary recused himself from decision making on further funding support for the redevelopment of the King’s Theatre given his constituency interests.
• The Cabinet Secretary meets with the national collections (National Galleries, National Library, National Museums) which have their main operations in Edinburgh Central. This is in the context of their broader contribution to cultural policy. He has recused himself from day to day decisions about the collections, on for example funding and Board appointments.
• Ms McKelvie, the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, leads on all the issues that Mr Robertson has recused himself from.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Cabinet Secretary’s wife is the Managing Director of a PR company Spey which has a significant number of clients in the food and drink sector. The Cabinet Secretary recused himself from Ministerial decision making in relation to his portfolio’s policy interests in the alcohol industry (in light of the Scottish Government’s consultation on alcohol advertising and promotion) given his wife’s public relations company represents alcohol brands. 
• Ms McKelvie, Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, leads on this issue.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Cabinet Secretary’s spouse works for Citizens Advice Scotland and is a board member for MND Scotland.
• The Cabinet Secretary has recused herself from financial decisions which directly benefit Citizens Advice Scotland. The Minister for Housing, Mr McLennan, has portfolio responsibility for matters relating to welfare and debt advice services. Oversight, and any Cabinet Secretary-level sign-off required in relation to funding, will be provided by the Deputy First Minister. 

Minister for Parliamentary Business George Adam MSP

6. Charities

• The Minister is Honorary President of Paisley Pirates.
• The Minister is a Patron of the Scottish Disability Equality Forum.
• The Minister is no longer Director of SMISA (St Mirren Independent Supporters Association) but is still a member.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Minister’s wife is a Patron for Friends at the End (FATE).

Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance Tom Arthur MSP

2. Directorships and Shareholdings

• The Minister owns a £1 share in Barrhead Housing Association, who are involved in delivering participatory budgeting in East Renfrewshire.

6. Charities

• The Minister is a member of the RSPB.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Minister owns a £1 share in Barrhead Housing Association, who are involved in delivering participatory budgeting in East Renfrewshire.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• Extended family members own a residential property and associated land on the Island of South Uist. The property is primarily a holiday let however is also occasionally used as a private residence to which the Minister and his wife have use. The property and land are situated within a designated National Scenic Area.

Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown MSP

The Minister confirmed that they had no relevant interests to declare.

Minister for Higher and Further Education, and Minister for Veterans Graeme Dey MSP

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• Mr Dey’s wife works in the college sector.
• A close family member is a serving Firefighter.
• A close family member is an actress who on occasion works for the Scottish Government funded National Theatre of Scotland.

Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise Natalie Don MSP

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Minister was a local authority councillor for Renfrewshire Council from 2017 to 2022. 
• The Minister’s children attend a private nursery.

Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning Joe FitzPatrick MSP

The Minister confirmed that they had no relevant interests to declare.

Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants Rights Patrick Harvie MSP

4. Sponsorship

• The Minister received a donation of £500 toward election expenses for the 2021 Scottish Parliament election from the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers.  The Minister is an Associate Member of the National Union of Journalists.

9. Relationships with the Government of Close Acquaintances or Advisers

• The Minister is a friend and former employer of an individual whose work involves lobbying the Scottish Government on behalf of clients.

10. Compliance with Legal Obligations

• The Minister has previously taken part in a number of non violent direct action protests and has once been convicted of breach of the peace in relation to such a protest.

Minister for Independence Jamie Hepburn MSP

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Minister’s wife is working for the Scottish National Party.

Minister for Transport Fiona Hyslop MSP

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

The Minister has:

• campaigned in support of works to link the M8 with Falkirk and Grangemouth A801 (Avon Gorge) and will recuse herself from Government decisions on this issue.
• campaigned in support of Newton village on long-standing speed, volume and type of traffic using the village rather than the M9 route to and from the Queensferry Crossing and will recuse herself from Government decisions on this issue.
• campaigned in support of Park and Ride at the new junction 4A on the M8 at the Heartlands to reduce car commuting and transfer to bus into cities and will recuse herself from Government decisions on this issue.
• campaigned in support of Park and Ride at new junction in Winchburgh to reduce car commuting and transfer to bus into cities and will recuse herself from Government decisions on this issue.
• been a long standing campaigner in support of the train station planned for Winchburgh and will recuse herself from Government decisions on this issue.
• been active in representing constituency concerns in the previous Air Space expansion plans for Edinburgh Airport and is currently representing constituents concerns about the airports latest proposals to expand its airspace. She will recuse herself from Government decisions on this and related issues
• recused herself from any Government decision-making in relation to McGill’s Buses' plans to withdraw bus services from West Lothian, given her constituency interests.  The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition has assumed Ministerial responsibility for such decisions

Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade Richard Lochhead MSP

6. Charities

• The Minister is Honorary President of Tomintoul and Glenlivet Bowling Club.

Minister for Energy and the Environment Gillian Martin MSP

3. Heritable Property

• The Minister has ownership of a one bedroom holiday cottage in Moray coast which is for family use only.

Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development Christina McKelvie MSP

The Minister confirmed that they had no relevant interests to declare.

Minister for Housing Paul McLennan MSP

3. Heritable Property

• The Minister has a joint mortgage over a property in Dunbar which is let out to in laws.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Minister’s partner works for Standard Life as Head of Relationship Management.
• A close family member works for Standard Life as a Portfolio Analyst.

Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health Jenni Minto MSP

6. Charities

• The Minister is a trustee of the Museum of Islay Life.

9. Relationships with the Government of Close Acquaintances or Advisers

• An extended family member is a civil servant working in the Scottish Government.
• An extended family member works in the Scottish Government Legal Department.
• An extended family member works for a Health Board.

Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees Emma Roddick MSP

6. Charities

• The Minister is a Community Reserve Volunteer with the British Red Cross.
• The Minister is a Member of Republic.
• The Minister is a Member of Our Republic.
• The Minister is a Member of the UK Metric Association.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Minister is a Member of Highland Pride Community Group (also regional interest).
• The Minister is a Friend of Eden Court Theatre.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• A close family member is a carer.

Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Lorna Slater MSP

The Minister confirmed that they had no relevant interests to declare.

Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport Maree Todd MSP

6. Charities

• The Minister is a Patron of the John O’Groat Trail.
• The Minister is Vice President of Friends of the Far North Line.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Minister is a Registered member of the General Pharmaceutical Council.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Minister’s husband is a Trustee at Tiny Changes; a Non-Executive Director at New Start Scotland; a Non-Executive Director at Community Land Scotland Limited; a Non Executive Director at Aban Outdoor Limited; and he volunteers at Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland.

9. Relationships with the Government of Close Acquaintances or Advisers

• A close family friend is Head of Innovation at Albyn Housing Society.

Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy Elena Whitham MSP

6. Charities

• The Minister is the Treasurer of the 16th Ayrshire Scout Group.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Minister is a member of the humanist society of Scotland.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• A close family member works for Leidos as a data engineer working on contracts that includes work for the Scottish Government and Local Government.

Lord Advocate Rt Hon Dorothy Bain KC

1. Financial Interests

• The Lord Advocate’s outstanding income as an advocate has been declared in the Scottish Parliament’s register of interests.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Lord Advocate is a Member of Faculty of Advocates.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Lord Advocate’s spouse is a Senator of the College of Justice. He is no longer involved in any criminal proceedings to avoid the risk of any perception of a conflict of interest.

Solicitor General Ruth Charteris KC

5. Public Appointments

• The Solicitor General was Chair of the Fitness to Practise Panel of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) (now resigned).

6. Charities

• The Solicitor General is a member of Dowanvale Free Church of Scotland.
• The Solicitor General is a member of the Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Solicitor General is a former member of the Scottish Swimming Complaints Panel.