Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment
Richard Lochhead was born in 1969 and raised in Paisley. He attended Williamwood High School in Clarkston, Glasgow College of Commerce, where he gained an HNC in Business Studies, and the University of Stirling where he graduated with a BA (Hons) in Political Studies.
His first job was with the South of Scotland Electricity Board and other previous posts include Office Manager for Alex Salmond MP.
He joined the Scottish National Party while still at school in the early 1980s. Immediately prior to his election to the Scottish Parliament in 1999, he worked as an economic development officer for Dundee City Council.
In 1999 Richard was elected to the Scottish Parliament as a North East MSP. He stood down from his regional seat to fight and win the Moray constituency by-election in April 2006.
He was SNP spokesman on Environment, Energy, Rural Affairs and Fishing. He was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment in May 2007.
Mr Lochhead lives in Elgin with his wife and two sons. He enjoys reading history and fiction, cycling, and cinema.
Parliamentary Office:
Richard Lochhead MSP, The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP
On Twitter: @RichardLochhead