Alasdair Macdonald
Biography
Alasdair Macdonald joined the Scotland Office as Deputy Director Policy in March 2024.
His role includes overseeing the department’s £1.5bn City and Growth Deals programme, as well as energy, foreign affairs, economic, rural affairs and public services policy.
Prior to this he spent a number of years in policy director roles within public bodies: the Equality & Human Rights Commission and Scottish Funding Council.
Alasdair’s earlier career was spent in policy and delivery roles in the NGO sector, including with the Zoological Society of London - where he ran a large conservation programmes division - and Save the Children, where he held a number of positions in the UK and overseas.
He began his career in the private sector.
Deputy Director Policy
The Deputy Director, Policy Delivery and Relationship Management is responsible for:
- Leading the Policy Division which works flexibly on policy priorities across sectors including defence, international trade, digital connectivity, broadcasting, asylum and immigration, City Deals and higher education;
- Working across the UK and Scottish Governments and with external stakeholders to ensure that the UK Government understands Scottish interests;
- Supporting ministers on reserved and key devolved subjects;
- Working with the Cabinet Office on improving UK Government devolution capability and engagement in Scotland.