We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.

Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.

Set cookie preferences

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Publication - Transparency data

Special advisers

Last updated
2 March 2026 - see all updates
Topic
Public sector

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

The First Minister has appointed special advisers who provide advice across all portfolio areas in the Scottish Government.

Special adviser team

Name Role and responsibilities

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
Emily Mackintosh

Deputy Chief of Staff to the First Minister

  • First Minister's Strategic Programme in Government
  • deputise for the Chief of Staff
  • Senior Special Adviser to the Deputy First Minister
  • economy portfolio
  • oversight of business and economy engagement, and stakeholder management

Jeanette Campbell

 

Senior Special Adviser

  • justice and home affairs portfolio
  • parliamentary business and parliamentary liaison

Ross Ingebrigtsen

 

Senior Special Adviser and Political Spokesperson for the First Minister

  • strategic communications planning
  • First Minister's Questions

Ewan Crawford

Senior Constitution Special Adviser

  • constitution and external affairs portfolio (excluding culture)

Kate Higgins

Senior Special Adviser

  • education and skills portfolio
  • veterans
  • planning

Stephen Noon

Senior Special Advisor

  • provide strategic advice on the political positioning and messaging
Davie Hutchison

Senior Special Adviser

  • finance portfolio
  • energy portfolio
  • culture portfolio (including Broadcasting)
  • First Minister's Questions
  • Coronavirus Inquiries

Sean McGivern

 

 

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

Jennie Gollan

 

Special Adviser

  • maternity leave

Leanne Dobson

 

Special Adviser

  • climate action

Erin McKee

 

Special Adviser

  • health and social care portfolio
Helen Scott

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)
  • housing portfolio

Olaf Stando

 

Special Adviser

  • communications including Digital Communications

Ian Muirhead

Special Adviser

  • rural affairs, land reform and islands portfolio

Marco Biagi

 

Special Adviser

  • provide strategic advice on political positioning and messaging


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

First published
17 February 2020
Last updated
2 March 2026 - show all updates

  1. Updated to remove Jack Middleton

  2. Various updates made to list.

  3. Update Leanne Dobson's details.

  4. Ross Ingebrigtsen job title updated.

  5. Various updates made to list.

  6. Added Ian Muirhead as a special adviser.

  7. Added Marco Biagi as a special adviser.

  8. Updated to include Stephen Noon, Erin McKee and Olaf Stando. Responsibilities of Emily MacKintosh and Sean McGivern updated.

  9. Updated list to reflect portfolio breakdown by role.

  10. Updated to reflect changes following new cabinet announced on 8 May 2024

  11. Updated to remove Gavin Corbett

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

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

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

  15. Updated to add Sean McGivern

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

  17. Updated for August 2022.

  18. Updated for April 2022.

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

Back to top