Director of Healthcare Strategy

Scottish Government

Michael has almost 20 years experience working in government in Scotland. He has taken on a range of key roles over the years as private secretary to 3 separate Ministers, as the policy lead on flagship pieces of legislation and a key role representing Scotland abroad.

Michael has been in his present role – Policy Director in The Quality Unit, DG Health & Social Care – since January 2014. The Quality Unit leads on strategy and policy for the health service in Scotland with a strong focus on quality and improvement. Michael’s previous SCS roles include in education on the teacher workforce and as Head of Emergencies for SG.

Michael graduated from Glasgow University in 1991 with a LLB in Public Law & Politics. He qualified as a solicitor in the criminal legal aid field in Edinburgh but after doing so concluded that giving the civil service a try might better suit his passion for public policy and making a difference to people’s lives. He was right. Michael has two young daughters. Michael’s passions beyond his family extend to playing football, reading American history and music. He is the proud owner of a Ford Mustang and a Vespa scooter.

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