Maree Todd

Summary

Maree Todd is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician who has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross since May 2021. She was previously an MSP for the Highlands and Islands from the election in May 2016.[1] She has been serving as the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport since March 2023.[2] She previously served as the Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport from 2021 to 2023, and as the Minister for Children and Young People from 2017 to 2021.

Maree Todd
Official portrait, 2021
Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport
Assumed office
29 March 2023
First MinisterHumza Yousaf
Preceded byKevin Stewart
Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport
In office
20 May 2021 – 29 March 2023
First MinisterNicola Sturgeon
Preceded byMairi Gougeon
Succeeded byJenni Minto
Minister for Children and Young People
In office
7 November 2017 – 20 May 2021
First MinisterNicola Sturgeon
Preceded byMark McDonald
Succeeded byClare Haughey
Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross
Assumed office
6 May 2021
Preceded byGail Ross
Majority2,591 (7.0%)
Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Highlands and Islands
(1 of 7 Regional MSPs)
In office
5 May 2016 – 5 May 2021
Personal details
NationalityScottish
Political partyScottish National Party
Alma materRobert Gordon University
ProfessionPharmacist
Websitemareetodd.scot

Early life and education edit

She was educated at Ullapool primary school and high school.[3] She went to Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, graduating in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy.[4]

Pharmacy career edit

She previously worked as a hospital pharmacist for NHS Highland.[5] Before being elected as a MSP, she was based at the New Craigs Psychiatric Hospital in Inverness.[5]

Political career edit

She was encouraged into politics after campaigning during the Scottish independence referendum that took place in 2014.[3] In October 2015 she was announced as the top candidate on the SNP's regional list for the Highlands and Islands.[6]

Todd was appointed Minister for Childcare and Early Years by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on 7 November 2017.[7]

Todd is a Species Champion for the Flame shell, through a scheme run by Scottish Environment LINK.[8]

At the May 2021 Scottish Parliament election, Todd was elected as the MSP for the Caithness, Sutherland and Ross constituency. On 19 May 2021, she was appointed to the new government as Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport.[9]

In 2023, she was appointed to the Yousaf government as Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport.[10]

References edit

  1. ^ "Election 2016: Highlands and Islands Scottish Parliament region". BBC News. 6 May 2016.
  2. ^ "Full ministerial team confirmed". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  3. ^ a b Davidson, Jenni (23 February 2017). "Getting to know you – Maree Todd". Holyrood. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  4. ^ "MSPs: Current MSPs: Maree Todd: Personal Information". Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Hospital pharmacist elected to Scottish Parliament". The Pharmaceutical Journal. 296 (7889). 10 May 2016. doi:10.1211/PJ.2016.20201135.
  6. ^ MacAllister, Dona (13 October 2015). "Women top Scottish National Party's regional list". Inverness Courier. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  7. ^ "Maree Todd appointed as new Scottish childcare minister". BBC Scotland. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  8. ^ Mackenzie, Jackie (4 April 2017). "Flame shell champion honoured by Ullapool pupils". North Star News. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  9. ^ "Nicola Sturgeon appoints new health and education secretaries". BBC News. 19 May 2021. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021.
  10. ^ Paton, Craig (29 March 2023). "Yousaf says SNP is 'united' as he appoints supporters to his first Cabinet". Evening Standard. Retrieved 30 March 2023.

External links edit

  • Scottish Parliament profiles of MSPs: Maree Todd
  • personal website
Scottish Parliament
Preceded by Member of the Scottish Parliament for Caithness, Sutherland & Ross
2021–present
Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Minister for Children and Young People
2017–2021
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport
2021–present
Incumbent