Alyn Smith appointed as Scottish higher education minister

The appointment comes after Ben Macpherson MSP announced he was standing down from the junior ministerial role last week.

Mr Smith is a former MP and former MEP, but made the jump to Holyrood after becoming the MSP for Stirling at May’s election.

First Minister John Swinney said: “Alyn is one of the most experienced parliamentarians in the UK, having served in both the European and UK parliaments before being elected as an MSP.

“He has broad international experience and has shown long-term interest in skills, universities and colleges.

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“Scotland’s future prosperity will be built on the talent of our people, the strength of our universities and colleges, and our ability to turn world-class ideas into jobs, investment and opportunity.

“My new programme for government sets out an ambitious agenda for post-school learning and development - from protecting free university tuition, expanding apprenticeships and delivering a new national skills plan, to supporting university research and spin-outs, and connecting business with academic institutions to drive innovation and growth.”

Rather than having Mr Smith attend Bute House to make the appointment, it was done via a video call as Mr Smith is currently “suffering a minor illness”.

Mr Smith studied law and European law at Leeds University and then went on to get a masters degree in European studies and the College of Europe in Warsaw.

After teaching English in India and working with Scotland Europa in Brussels, he qualified as a lawyer and practised commercial law in both London and Edinburgh.

In 2002, Mr Smith joined former Moray MSP Richard Lochhead’s office and became an adviser to the SNP group in the Scottish Parliament on European, justice and business policy.

He was elected to the European Parliament for Scotland in 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019, and served as the MP for Stirling from 2019 to 2024.

Mr Swinney says Mr Smith will work closely with Education Secretary Màiri McAllan to “drive that agenda, working across government with other ministers and in partnership with industry and the education and skills sectors to deliver for Scotland’s people, communities and businesses”.