Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, has retained his position in the Scottish Government’s reshuffle, but has had the name of his role changed to reflect his new responsibilities for food.

Lochhead received the portfolio for food in June 2014, and has now had his title changed to Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment.

Newly-appointed First Minister for Scotland Nicola Sturgeon announced Lochhead’s new title as she unveiled her new cabinet on Friday (21 November).

After being formally voted in as First Minister by Members of Scottish Parliament (MSPs) last week (following her succession to Leader of the Scottish National Party after Alex Salmond’s resignation), Scotland’s first female First Minister announced that her new cabinet would have a 50-50 gender split.

Sturgeon highlighted that she was taking the opportunity to make progress on equal representation by ensuring that half of her cabinet (including herself) were women, increasing the percentage of women from 40 per cent in the previous cabinet.

The First Minister also announced arrangements to cover the first occasion in the lifetime of the Scottish Government when a minister will take maternity leave; Fiona McLeod MSP will become acting Minister for Children and Young People when Aileen Campbell MSP takes her maternity leave later this year.

The full list of Cabinet appointments is:

• Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy: John Swinney MSP;
• Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities: Keith Brown MSP (replacing Sturgeon);
• Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training: Roseanna Cunningham MSP (replacing Angela Constance MSP, see below);
• Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning: Angela Constance MSP (replacing Mike Russell MSP);
• Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport: Shona Robison MSP (replacing Alex Neil MSP, see below);
• Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights: Alex Neil MSP;
• Cabinet Secretary for Justice: Michael Matheson MSP (replacing Kenny MacAskill MSP);
• Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment: Richard Lochhead MSP;
• Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs: Fiona Hyslop MSP.

‘Creating a nation that is both social democratic and socially just’

Sturgeon said: “This new cabinet is a team of all the talents, which will take forward this government’s priorities for Scotland.

“The aims of my government are clear: to create a nation that is both social democratic and socially just, a nation that is confident in itself and governed effectively and a nation which will address poverty, support business, promote growth and tackle inequality.

"The new cabinet team I have announced today will pursue these priorities with verve, vigour and determination.

“Every member of the cabinet is part of this government’s top team on merit, on the basis of the excellent work they have already done as ministers. The cabinet line-up is also a clear demonstration that this government will work hard in all areas to promote women, to create gender equality, and it sends out a strong message that the business of redressing the gender balance in public life starts right here in government.

“I said earlier this week that we will be leading by example on equal representation, and encourage others to follow by addressing low pay and improving childcare. The cabinet appointments I have made today will ensure these issues have the highest priority.

“I also want to take the opportunity to thank outgoing Cabinet Secretaries Kenny MacAskill and Mike Russell for their sterling work in government.

“I am confident that we are now equipped with the men and women who will go forward and deliver on these aspirations to create a better Scotland.”

Find out more about the new Scottish Cabinet.