Scotland’s Economy Blog outlines the work of the Scottish Government to make Scotland a more successful country with opportunities for all to flourish through increasing sustainable economic growth.

The blog will feature regular updates from Ministers and senior figures in the Scottish economy.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth
John Swinney

Born in 1964, John Swinney MSP joined the Scottish National Party in 1979 and went on to graduate from Edinburgh University with an MA (Hons) in Politics. He has worked for the Scottish Coal Project, Development Options and Scottish Amicable.

Prior to his election as Westminster MP for North Tayside in 1997, he held a number of posts in the SNP at local and national level. In 1999, he became the MSP for Tayside North, remaining as the constituency’s MP until standing down from Westminster at the 2001 General Election.

Minister for Energy, Enterprise & Tourism
Fergus Ewing

Mr Ewing was born in Glasgow in September 1957 and was educated at Edinburgh’s Loretto School and then attended Glasgow University.

He was elected as MSP for Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber in 1999 and re-elected in 2003, 2007 and 2011. Prior to being elected, he ran his own law practice and developed SNP policy on small business and other matters as well as serving on the party’s national executive.