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Publication - Transparency data

Special advisers

Last updated
8 September 2023 - see all updates

List of special advisers who provide advice across all portfolio areas in the Scottish Government.

Colin McAllister - Chief of Staff to the First Minister

  • First Minister's Strategic Programme in Government including Inter-governmental relations
  • co-ordination of the Special Adviser team

Kevin Pringle - Head of Communications and Strategic Political Adviser

  • Senior Political Spokesperson for the First Minister
  • provide strategic advice to Ministers on wider political issues 
  • co-ordination of the Special Adviser Communication Team

Callum McCaig - Head of Policy and Strategic Political Adviser

  • Senior Special Adviser to the Deputy First Minister
  • Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy portfolio
  • Programme for Government
  • Bute House Agreement

Jeanette Campbell - Senior Special Adviser

  • Justice and Home Affairs portfolio
  • Minister for Independence
  • Parliamentary Business and Parliamentary Liaison

Gavin Corbett - Special Adviser

  • Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights

Ewan Crawford - Senior Constitution Special Adviser

  • Constitution and External Affairs portfolio (except Culture)

Leanne Dobson - Special Adviser

  • Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition

Jennie Gollan - Special Adviser

  • Health and Social Care portfolio

Kate Higgins - Special Adviser

  • Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands portfolio

Davie Hutchison - Senior Special Adviser

  • Finance portfolio
  • Culture portfolio (including Broadcasting)
  • First Minister's Questions
  • Coronavirus Inquiries

Harry Huyton - Special Adviser

  • Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity

Ross Ingebrigtsen - Deputy Political Spokesperson for the First Minister

  • Strategic communications planning
  • First Minister's Questions

Emily Mackintosh - Senior Communications Special Adviser

  • Oversight of business/economy engagement and stakeholder management
  • Outreach and strategic stakeholder engagement
  • Media communications including communications and events support for the First Minister
  • Support for the First Minister and the First Minister’s Private Office

Sean McGivern - Special Adviser

  • Education and Skills portfolio
  • Veterans

Jack Middleton -  Special Adviser

  • Media communications including communications and events support for the First Minister
  • Support for the First Minister and the First Minister’s Private Office
  • Outreach and stakeholder engagement

Emilie-Louise Purdie - Special Adviser

  • Social Justice portfolio (including Ukraine Resettlement)

Tom Thomson -  Special Adviser

  • Digital Communications

Access previous versions of this content at the www.gov.scot archive. 

 

First published
17 February 2020
Last updated
8 September 2023 - show all updates

  1. Updated to amend roles for Callum McCaig, Jennie Gollan, Davie Hutchison and Emily Mackintosh.

  2. Updated to add secondary title to Callum McCaig's entry and amend Leanne Dobson.

  3. Updated to add Kevin Pringle and Emilie-Louise Purdie and amend Jeanette Campbell.

  4. Updated to add Sean McGivern

  5. Updated to reflect special adviser staff list following appointment of Humza Yousaf as First Minister.

  6. Updated for August 2022.

  7. Updated for April 2022.

  8. Updated for March 2022 and changed url from www.gov.scot/publications/special-advisers-february-2020/

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