Subject to parliamentary agreement, Macpherson will succeed Graeme Dey in the role while Dey will be appointed as minister for parliamentary business and for veterans.
“Ben Macpherson has wide experience across a range of policy areas and will bring a creative and dynamic leadership to higher and further education that is so fundamental to transforming the lives of individuals across the country, and to supporting this government’s ambitious economic agenda,” said Swinney.
Macpherson said he was “grateful” and “delighted” about rejoining government in the role.
Macpherson grew up in Edinburgh and graduated at the University of York before studying law at University of Edinburgh and becoming a lawyer in the city.
Ben Macpherson has wide experience across a range of policy areas and will bring a creative and dynamic leadership to higher and further education
John Swinney, Scotland’s First Minister
Macpherson previously served as minister for Europe, migration and international development from June 2018 to February 2020, then minister for public finance and migration until being appointed minister for rural affairs and the natural environment in December 2020. In 2021, he became minister for social security and local government, a post he held until leaving government in March 2023.
“I look forward to undertaking this responsibility and working collaboratively, diligently and pro-actively with all involved,” he wrote on X.
The news comes as Scotland ramps up its internationalisation efforts, with Dey speaking to The PIE just weeks before the reshuffle about his about his goals for retaining international students after graduation.
The minister attended the 2025 EAIE conference held in Gothenburg, Sweden, and spoke of building a new narrative around international students in Scotland – one that recognises their broader contributions, rather than focusing solely on their economic impact.
In February 2024, Scotland launched its first international education strategy, promising plans to attract more staff and activity to promote universities and colleges internationally.
In recent months, the Scottish government has also appointed a trade and investment envoy for international education – Rachel Sandison, deputy vice-chancellor (external engagement) and vice-principal (external relations) at the University of Glasgow.
Sandison is working with the government to promote Scotland’s academic institutions and research expertise and draw on her international connections to bridge universities with other global institutions to attract more students and staff to live, work and study in Scotland.
