New Minister for Parliamentary Business appointed

Graeme takes up vacant post while Ben Macpherson re-joins government.

Graeme has been appointed Minister for Parliamentary Business and for Veterans by First Minister John Swinney. 

Subject to parliamentary agreement and the approval of His Majesty the King, Ben Macpherson will succeed Graeme as Minister for Higher & Further Education, while Graeme retains his responsibilities for Scottish Government policy on veterans. 

I am delighted to appoint Graeme Dey as Minister for Parliamentary Business and Ben Macpherson as Minister-designate for Higher & Further Education. 

Graeme Dey brings wide experience of handling parliamentary business to this role and is a minister widely respected across the Parliamentary chamber for his open and constructive approach to finding common ground. 

Ben Macpherson has wide experience across a range of policy areas and will bring a creative and dynamic leadership to higher and further education that is so fundamental to transforming the lives of individuals across the country, and to supporting this government’s ambitious economic agenda.

– THE FIRST MINISTER

Background 

Graeme Dey is the MSP for the Angus South constituency. He was born and raised in Aberdeen. After graduating, he pursued a career in journalism – working for the Courier as a sports journalist. He is married with two grown up children. 

Graeme was Minister for Parliamentary Business & Veterans from 2018 to 2021, before serving as Minister for Transport until 2022. In March 2023 he was appointed as Minister for Higher & Further Education and Minister for Veterans. 

Ben Macpherson is the MSP for the Edinburgh Northern & Leith constituency. He grew up in the Scottish capital and graduated at the University of York before studying law at University of Edinburgh and becoming a lawyer in the city. 

Mr Macpherson served as Minister for Europe, Migration & International Development from June 2018 to February 2020, then Minister for Public Finance & Migration until being appointed Minister for Rural Affairs & the Natural Environment in December 2020. In 2021 he became Minister for Social Security & Local Government, a post he held until leaving government in March 2023.