Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Scotland
Richard Lochhead MSP was elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999 and 2003 via the North East regional list. During the second session of Parliament he stood down from his regional seat and was elected as constituency MSP for Moray in the by-election in April 2006. He was the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment from 2007 to 2016.
Richard was born in Paisley in 1969 and was educated at Williamwood High School, Clarkston, Glasgow. He graduated with BA Honours in Political Studies from Stirling University.
Richard’s first employment was with the South of Scotland Electricity Board and prior to his election to Holyrood worked for Dundee City Council. He was also employed as constituency office manager for Alex Salmond from 1994 to 1998.
Mr Lochhead lives near Elgin with his wife Fiona and sons Angus and Fraser. In his spare time he is a keen cyclist.
