Ben Macpherson (politician)

Ben Macpherson
Official portrait, 2021
Minister for Higher and Further Education
Assumed office
21 September 2025
First MinisterJohn Swinney
Preceded byGraeme Dey
Minister for Social Security and Local Government
In office
20 May 2021 – 29 March 2023
First MinisterNicola Sturgeon
Preceded byKevin Stewart
Succeeded byJoe FitzPatrick
Minister for Public Finance and Migration
In office
17 February 2020 – 20 May 2021
First MinisterNicola Sturgeon
Preceded byKate Forbes
Succeeded byTom Arthur
Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development
In office
27 June 2018 – 17 February 2020
First MinisterNicola Sturgeon
Preceded byAlasdair Allan
Succeeded byJenny Gilruth
Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Edinburgh Northern and Leith
Assumed office
5 May 2016
Preceded byMalcolm Chisholm
Majority6,746 (18.2%)
Personal details
BornBen Macpherson
12 July 1984
Edinburgh, Scotland
PartyScottish National Party
Websitebenmacpherson.scot
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Ben Macpherson (born 12 July 1984) is a Scottish politician who is currently serving as the Minister for Higher and Further Education in the Scottish Government. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), he has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Edinburgh Northern and Leith constituency since 2016.

He previously served as Minister for Social Security and Local Government in the Scottish Government from May 2021 to March 2023, having previously served as Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development (June 2018-February 2020), Minister for Public Finance and Migration (February 2020-December 2020) and Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment (December 2020-May 2021).