Richard Lochhead

Early life

Richard Neilson Lochhead was born in Paisley on 24 May 1969. He attended Williamwood High School in Clarkston and Central College of Commerce in Glasgow before he graduated in 1994 in Political Studies from the University of Stirling. He worked for the SNP leader, Alex Salmond, as his Office Manager from 1994 to 1998, before becoming an environmental development officer for Dundee City Council. He was the SNP candidate in Gordon in the 1997 UK General Election, where he finished third. He fought the Aberdeen Central constituency in both 1999 and 2003, but came second to Lewis Macdonald each time.

Political career

SNP in opposition; 1999 to 2007

Lochhead was elected to the Scottish Parliament at the 1999 election and re-elected at the 2003 election for the North East Scotland Region. In January 2006 he was selected as the SNP candidate for Moray for the 2007 Scottish Parliament elections, following the announcement that Margaret Ewing MSP would be retiring. He beat Margaret Ewing's sister-in-law, former MP Annabelle Ewing in the selection. Ewing's premature death triggered a by-election and Lochhead resigned his additional member seat in April 2006 in order to successfully contest the Moray by-election. He was elected on 28 April 2006. This was the first time since the Second World War that an incumbent party had retained a by-election seat without losing votes or having their majority or share of the vote lowered.

He was convener of the European and External Relations Committee of the Scottish Parliament 11 June 2003 – 14 September 2004. In opposition he held the SNP's portfolios on Environment, Energy, Fishing and Rural Affairs in the Scottish Parliament.

Rural Affairs Secretary; 2007 to 2016

After the SNP's victory at the 2007 Scottish Parliament Election, it was announced on 16 May 2007 that Lochhead would be the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment, taking up the position the following day. The junior Ministerial position of Minister for the Environment was initially given to Michael Russell (currently held by Aileen McLeod). In May 2007, Lochhead started his tenure with promises to "relentlessly" pursue the Scottish fishing interests on behalf of fishermen and their communities.

Lochhead was re-elected at the 2011 election with a further increased majority of 10,944. He announced his resignation as Environment Secretary, effective on 18 May 2016, as Nicola Sturgeon put together her reshuffle to appoint the second Sturgeon government.

Return to government; 2018 to present

On 31 August 2018 he was announced as Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science.

He retained his seat at the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, with an increased majority, number of votes and percentage of votes cast. After the election, he was appointed as Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work.

In 2023, he was appointed as Business Minister by the new First Minister Humza Yousaf and has held the role, under various titles, since.

Lochhead announced on 26 January 2025 that he would not seek re-election in 2026.

Personal life

Richard Lochhead is married to Fiona, and they have two children together.

He is a supporter of Aberdeen F.C.

Given that he won the 2006 Moray by-election and was elected at every Scottish Parliament general election since its establishment, Lochhead was the MSP who had been elected to the parliament the highest number of times prior to his retirement in 2026.

In 2024, Lochhead spent six weeks in hospital and had to learn how to walk again after becoming seriously ill with sepsis.

Notes

References

References

1. "Full ministerial team confirmed".
2. Black, Andrew. (13 October 2010). "In profile: Richard Lochhead". BBC News.
3. Davidson, Jenni. (5 February 2016). "Interview with Richard Lochhead". Holyrood.
4. (4 January 2006). "Salmond closer to Holyrood return". BBC.
5. (28 April 2006). "SNP's joy at by-election victory". BBC.
6. "MSPs > Previous MSPs (session 2) > Richard Lochhead". [[Scottish Parliament]].
7. (16 May 2007). "Salmond announces his new cabinet". BBC.
8. (25 May 2007). "SNP to trawl for thoughts of fishermen". [[The Scotsman]].
9. (18 May 2016). "Richard Lochhead resigns from Scottish Government cabinet". [[The Scotsman]].
10. (31 August 2018). "Richard Lochhead to return to Scottish government". BBC News.
11. Clark, Jonathan. "Re-elected MSP Richard Lochhead "humbled" by "astounding" SNP result in Moray". Northern-scot.co.uk.
12. Clark, Jonathan. "Richard Lochhead re-elected as SNP win in Moray". Grampianonline.co.uk.
13. "Full ministerial team confirmed".
14. "Changes to the Ministerial team: Letter from First Minister to the Presiding Officer".
15. Bowie, Justin. (26 January 2025). "Moray SNP veteran Richard Lochhead to quit Holyrood at 2026 election". The Press and Journal.
16. (2023). "Scottish Political Guide 2023/24". Holyrood.
17. (2024-09-27). "Back to business: An interview with Richard Lochhead".
18. (2024-07-26). "MSP Lochhead: 'I had to learn to walk again after sepsis infection'".