Director General Communities at Scottish Govt; ex DG Economy; ex-IoD Scotland Nations Director; ex-CEO Young Scot; former Co-Chair NACWG | OBE | FRSE | She/Her
I find this picture so incredibly moving. This is
@GretaThunberg
aged 15, sat alone outside the Swedish Parliament Aug 2018 - the first school strike. In just one year, she’s created a wave that will change the whole world. Never underestimate the power of one young person 💜💚
So pleased to hear First Minister
@NicolaSturgeon
thanking children & young people specifically during her TV broadcast this evening & recognising how tough it is for them: “You’re doing brilliantly”. Yes they are 🙌
#TruthAboutYouth
#Covid19
I saved this pic to my phone when I was on the move and stupidly didn’t find out who the photographer was before I posted it. I now believe it is Adam Johansson - so all the credit & plaudits to them for this extraordinarily powerful shot 📷
Some news: I’m heading to
@scotgov
to take up post of Interim Director General Economy. It has been a privilege to work with our fantastic
@IoD_Scotland
members, as well as our team, with so much insight shared & learning I’ll take with me into new role >>
Intense day implementing our resilience plan & homeworking for the whole team. Thinking lots about wellbeing of staff - so we started a
#VirtualTeaBreak
experiment where everyone Zoomed in for a cuppa & a blether. A real highlight of the day - so we’re going to do it everyday!
Personal news: Delighted to say I’ve been appointed a permanent DG in Scottish Govt - staying as DG Economy for a few months before moving to take up the mantle of DG Communities. An enormous privilege - looking forward to continuing to work with partners across Scotland 🏴
#Thread
Sharing some big news today - I will be moving on from Young Scot in the summer and will be joining
@The_IoD
as the Scotland Director
@IoD_Scotland
(1of4)
The 6 month mark in any sustained crisis is always difficult. We have all adjusted to this "new normal", but might now feel like we're running out of steam. Yet, at best, we are only 1/3 the way through this marathon. How can we keep going? THREAD /x
Be kind to the young people around you today. Those getting exam results. And those not. Be kind to young people who might be having a tough day. Be kind to young people every day. It matters. Be a role model. Be kind.
#NoWrongPath
#ShareTheLove
@BootstrapCook
Another option to throw in the mix - dark berries & pears; blackcurrant jelly and chocolate custard - with cherries on top. Kinda “Black Forest Trifle”
Just heard a wee boy tell his Dad - very loudly - “you’re lucky you had me Daddy or else you wouldn’t get to go to the beach today!” Lovely Dad replies: “I’m lucky I had you full stop.” 💗💗💗
Delighted to be starting today in my new role as
@scotgov
Director General Communities. It’s been a privilege to serve as DG Economy - huge thanks to all the fab stakeholders I worked with 🙌 Looking forward to making new connections across Scotland.
So...on Friday night one of my tweets went viral round the world...it’s been quite the whirlwind. At one stage my phone froze entirely - check the numbers & you’ll see why 😳 Thanks to all who engaged positively & hello to new followers! How was your weekend Twitter pals? 🙌🌿
I find this picture so incredibly moving. This is
@GretaThunberg
aged 15, sat alone outside the Swedish Parliament Aug 2018 - the first school strike. In just one year, she’s created a wave that will change the whole world. Never underestimate the power of one young person 💜💚
So we had to say goodbye to my darling Fidel today, after 13 years together. I’ve had cats all my life but he was THE one - my soul-cat, my daemon. I’m just heartbroken but so grateful to have had him with me for so long, bringing such beauty & joy. One of a kind x
Lots of people sharing this today - somehow missed this in 2017. Really extraordinary writing & performance. “inappropriately urban...” Just wow >> “Permanent Sunshine” by
@Writerer
– read the script & watch the video | The Guardian
It's my final day at the helm
@YoungScot
I would love it if my followers could reply to this tweet with why they think young people are amazing; shoutouts for awesome young people or fabulous youth projects - using my fave hashtag
#TruthAboutYouth
Let's show young Scots some 💜🙏
Ahhh. FB has reminded me it was 3 years ago today that we were part of the amazing
@YOYP2018
reception at Holyrood Palace with Prince Harry & Meghan Markle (her first in Scotland!)
#SussexRoyal
- such an incredible day for all the young people who took part 🙌💕
#YOYP2018
A hugely welcome & heartfelt thank you from National Clinical Director
@jasonleitch
to young Scots for the part they are playing in tackling this pandemic 🙌
#TruthAboutYouth
#Covid19
Scotland’s children & young people, take a bow! We know it’s not always been easy, but you’ve made it through the first term of a challenging academic year. This is a personal thank you for helping to stop the spread of the virus.
@girfec
#girfec
#bestplacetogrowup
@YoungScot
I reckon I’m probably only going to be able to say this once in my life so here goes: delighted to be heading to
@NtlMuseumsScot
for dinner with Sir David Attenborough. Huge thanks
@ZeroWasteScot
@IainGulland
for the invitation! 💚
On this anniversary of the
#Lockerbie
bombing, this amazing letter from
@LettersOfNote
from one family to another: “When your dear one came to us from the night...”
#OurFrank
💔
Huge thanks to
@NicolaSturgeon
for meeting this afternoon re
@NACWGScot
- delighted as as Chair to present an advance copy of our second set of recommendations - focussed on policy coherence. Report will be published 22nd Jan.
#WatchThisSpace
#GenerationEqual
.
@YoungScot
will be hosting a live Q&A on
#COVID19
with First Minister
@NicolaSturgeon
& National Clinical Director Prof
@jasonleitch
on Monday. Young people can submit their questions now via link below. Please share with your networks & the young people you support.
First day back at my desk after undergoing major surgery in early December. Feeling proud that I remembered (with a wee bit of help) the security codes & my passwords! 😅
To every single person who has sacrificed so much in order to follow the rules - so as to protect others in our collective act of compassion for our fellow humans during this pandemic- I see you 💜 And I thank you 🙏
#StayHomeSaveLives
Heartbroken to share that my “middle” older brother Frank has passed away after the rare form of blood cancer he was living with unexpectedly & suddenly developed into leukaemia. All still reeling from shock & disbelief. Too soon 💔 Hold your loved ones tight people 💜
It’s my Mum’s birthday today. She died, suddenly, when I was 24. It’s only recently I’ve realised what a relatively young age that is to lose a parent. Grateful for all she taught me & that she instilled in me a love of old-school glamour & poetry - a heady combo! 💜
We have heavy hearts
@YoungScot
today after the death of one of our longest-serving young volunteers Ryan Thomson, 21, from testicular cancer. Ryan joined us at 15, as a Youth Commissioner on Smoking Prevention, then our YS Focus Group & Junior Climate Challenge Fund...(1/2)
I love them all. But “outwith” always has a special place in my heart...I remember the battles with my sub-editor on my first journalism job in Burton-on-Trent that it *absolutely* was a word!
Well this is a fine start to a Monday - I’m now a Great-Great-Auntie!! Hello world - meet Kai 😍 He was extremely keen to see everyone so arrived five weeks early just after 1am today - teeny but healthy & happy 👶
A year to the day since I had major surgery. Life altering in many ways & a bit more of the journey to go but a day to reflect with gratitude. Anniversaries are funny things aren’t they? The significance they carry. It’s only one more day than yesterday, yet feels so powerful 💜
Blimey. It appears I’ve made it to the list of the Top 25
#SocialCEOs
again - meaning I’ve been on the list every year since the Awards started 😲 Social media is such a huge part of my work - honoured to be recognised alongside so many amazing CEOs 🙌
@Social_CEOs
@YoungScot
The man himself. Hard to find the words re just how incredible Sir David Attenborough is in person - such grace, gravitas & quiet power. Such an honour to be here 💚
#JustWow
Allow me a moment....
@AOC
liked my tweet! 😲😍 👋
#WavesToNYFromScotland
👋 🏴 So many young people here in Scotland are so inspired by you - keep going
#wowwoman
💜💜💜
My OH realised my work was pretty full on Aug-Oct so ages ago planned a wee break for us. Current status: about to board a flight to Madrid & congratulating myself for making a very smart choice 24 years ago 💞
Inhaled in one sitting...just fabulous from the wonderful
@matthaig1
- a fair bit of sobbing & deep breaths at the beauty of its message. Will most certainly be joining my list of books I’ll read again 💗
#TheMidnightLibrary
My darling late Dad’s birthday today. One of my fave pics with him - I think taken at Yellowcraig beach. True what they say about grief - the pain never goes away, your heart just grows around it. So grateful to him for so much every day 💜
What a titan she was. The juxtaposition of these incredible photos of Ruth Bader Ginsburg makes me wonder about the brilliant young women who are amongst us now who will be warriors for justice and equality over the coming years. We have never needed them more 💜
#RIPRBG
New special
@YoungScot
site just launched dedicated to supporting young people re
#COVID19
- we will update daily so let us know what else we should cover. Please do share across networks & flag with young people you support.
I’ll be honest - this has made me cry - so proud of Scotland. What a progressive step. So grateful to all the amazing women who made it happen
#GenerationEqual
💜 “Scotland becomes first nation to provide free period products for all” | The Guardian
So today is the day. The inaugural meeting of the FM’s Advisory Council on Women & Girls. If you’re coming along this lunchtime - we can’t wait to see you. If not, then the hashtag du jour is
#NACWG
Shoutout to fast-responding & kind
@EastLothPolice
officers who helped with v elderly, frail & confused woman I met on my walk today - she’d nipped out for rolls for breakfast & got lost. We had a fine blether while waiting - glad they were able to figure out & get her home safe.
Impossible to find words but such a beautiful, uplifting & moving funeral service this morning to mark the death of the irreplaceable Emma Ritch of
@EngenderScot
- powerful tributes; heartfelt poetry & girl punk 💜 Rest in power Emma - the work goes on in your memory.
@NACWGScot
I reckon Richard E Grant’s whole response to his
#Oscars
nomination perfectly sums up the
@matthaig1
advice of not being attracted to the “cool people” but instead always go for the “warm people” - just a delight 💕
My late Mum’s birthday today. Always a day of mixed emotions but grateful for all she taught me - including a tendency towards glamour & a love of expensive perfume! 😍
Ok. Signing out for a wee while - heading into hospital tomorrow & will be off for a bit recovering. Our awesome & perfectly formed
@YoungScot
team have all in hand so contact them to chat all things young people! 🙌
"Love, kindness, & solidarity are more important now than ever". These words from
@NicolaSturgeon
@ScotGovFM
today resonate. Someone I love very much is currently hospitalised w/
#Covid19
- they were super-careful, as was their whole family. We have to act to protect each other.
Delighted that today we are publishing the first report and recommendations of the First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women & Girls. My heartfelt thanks to all those who contributed their ideas & experiences via our Circle & beyond 💜
@NACWGScot
#GenerationEqual
Throughout 2018 our priority task has been to listen. We are delighted to publish our First Report, which highlights what we have learned and how we plan to make gender inequality a historical curiosity.
Read the full report here 👉
#GenerationEqual
So today we lost this good man - one of Glasgow’s finest - my father in law Alastair, aged 87. My fellow dessert conspirator at every Macdonald family meal. Never met a banoffee pie that could defeat him. Be at peace Alastair, now reunited with your beloved “Wee Pal” Mattie 💜 xx
A day spent clearing out my office = time travelling through 20+ years of my working life…most of it measured in Lego & lanyards! 🤣 At least one more trip required to finish the job but a pretty emotional day for sure 🥺
#CEOLife
And so it begins...
@ElmaMurWall
& I are heading out on our tour to meet with every Local Authority CEO in a Scotland. Stop 1 of 32 = a wet & windy Paisley
@RenCouncilNews
🙌
#ElmaAndLouiseOnTour
(You may start your (Th)Elma & Louise gags now 😉)
Today is my adored late Dad’s birthday. There hasn’t been a day over the past 20 years when I haven’t wished him back. He had an incredible life and I have endless gratitude for all he taught me 💜
Rollercoaster 36 hours with this one, including emergency trip to the vet & surgery. Wasn’t sure he was going to make it but he’s a wee miracle. Now home, a wee bit wonky but back in position on my lap as my work supervisor 😻
#Fidel
My last day with
@IoD_Scotland
@The_IoD
- reflecting on so much learning. As ever, it’s amazing people who’ve made it a joy - members, volunteers & my awesome team. Thank you all 🙏 Onwards to new adventures with
@scotgov
DG Economy (& new virtual backdrops for meetings) 🙌
Phew - it’s been quite the day! Huge thanks to everyone for all of the kind & supportive messages on here following my news - I’m not going to be able to respond to every one individually but I’m so so grateful - so sending virtual high fives to all! 🙌 🙏