Maree Todd

Maree Todd is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician who has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross since May 2021. She was previously an MSP for the Highlands and Islands from the election in May 2016.^[1] She has been Minister for Drugs & Alcohol Policy and Sport since June 2025.^[2] She previously served as Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport between 2023 and 2025, as the Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport from 2021 to 2023, and as the Minister for Children and Young People from 2017 to 2021.

Maree Todd MSP
Official portrait, 2021
Minister for Drugs & Alcohol Policy and Sport
Incumbent
Assumed office 11 June 2025
First Minister	John Swinney
Preceded by	Christina McKelvie (Drugs & Alcohol) Herself (Sport)
Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport
In office 29 March 2023 – 11 June 2025
First Minister	Humza Yousaf John Swinney
Preceded by	Kevin Stewart
Succeeded by	Tom Arthur (Social Care and Mental Wellbeing) Herself (Sport)
Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport
In office 20 May 2021 – 29 March 2023
First Minister	Nicola Sturgeon
Preceded by	Mairi Gougeon
Succeeded by	Jenni Minto
Minister for Children and Young People
In office 7 November 2017 – 20 May 2021
First Minister	Nicola Sturgeon
Preceded by	Mark McDonald
Succeeded by	Clare Haughey
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross
Incumbent
Assumed office 6 May 2021
Preceded by	Gail Ross
Majority	2,591 (7.0%)
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Highlands and Islands (1 of 7 Regional MSPs)
In office 5 May 2016 – 5 May 2021
Personal details
Nationality	Scottish
Political party	Scottish National Party
Alma mater	Robert Gordon University
Profession	Pharmacist
Website	mareetodd.scot

Early life and education

She was educated at Ullapool primary school and high school.^[3] She went to Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, graduating in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy.^[4]

Pharmacy career

She previously worked as a hospital pharmacist for NHS Highland.^[5] Before being elected as a MSP, she was based at the New Craigs Psychiatric Hospital in Inverness.^[5]

Political career

She was encouraged into politics after campaigning during the Scottish independence referendum that took place in 2014.^[3] In October 2015 she was announced as the top candidate on the SNP's regional list for the Highlands and Islands.^[6]

Todd was appointed Minister for Childcare and Early Years by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on 7 November 2017.^[7]

Todd is a Species Champion for the Flame shell, through a scheme run by Scottish Environment LINK.^[8]

At the May 2021 Scottish Parliament election, Todd was elected as the MSP for the Caithness, Sutherland and Ross constituency. On 19 May 2021, she was appointed to the new government as Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport.^[9]

In 2023, she was appointed to the Yousaf government as Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport.^[10]

In 2025, Todd was appointed to the newly renamed role of Minister for Drugs & Alcohol Policy and Sport.^[11] In this role she maintained her responsibility for the sport portfolio while taking on the drugs and alcohol brief.^[12]