19 Facts About Richard Lochhead

Richard Neilson Lochhead was born on 24 May 1969 and is a Scottish politician serving as the Minister for Business since 2023.

Richard Lochhead worked as an office manager for Alex Salmond, the Leader of the SNP at the time, from 1994 to 1998, before becoming an environmental development officer for Dundee City Council.

Richard Lochhead was elected to the inaugural Scottish Parliament in 1999, where he represented North East Scotland.

Richard Lochhead remained as the Rural Affairs Secretary under First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, but added food policy onto his portfolio.

Richard Lochhead stood down from government before the dissolution of the 4th Scottish Parliament and sat as a backbencher.

Richard Neilson Lochhead was born in Paisley on 24 May 1969.

Richard Lochhead attended Williamwood High School in Clarkston and Central College of Commerce in Glasgow before he graduated in 1994 in Political Studies from the University of Stirling.

Richard Lochhead worked for the SNP leader, Alex Salmond, as his Office Manager from 1994 to 1998, before becoming an environmental development officer for Dundee City Council.

Richard Lochhead was the SNP candidate in Gordon in the 1997 UK General Election, where he finished third.

Richard Lochhead subsequently fought the Aberdeen Central constituency in both 1999 and 2003, but came second to Lewis Macdonald each time.

Richard Lochhead was elected to the Scottish Parliament at the 1999 election and re-elected at the 2003 election for the North East Scotland Region.

Richard Lochhead beat Margaret Ewing's sister-in-law, former MP Annabelle Ewing in the selection.

Ewing's premature death triggered a by-election and Richard Lochhead resigned his additional member seat in April 2006 in order to successfully contest the Moray by-election.

In May 2007, Richard Lochhead started his tenure with promises to "relentlessly" pursue the Scottish fishing interests on behalf of fishermen and their communities.

Richard Lochhead was re-elected at the 2011 election with a further increased majority of 10,944.

Richard Lochhead announced his resignation as Environment Secretary, effective on 18 May 2016, as Nicola Sturgeon put together her reshuffle to appoint the second Sturgeon government.

Richard Lochhead retained his seat at the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, with an increased majority, number of votes and percentage of votes cast.

Richard Lochhead announced on 26 January 2025 that he would not seek re-election in 2026.

Richard Lochhead is married to Fiona, and they have two children together.