Nicola Ferguson Sturgeon is a Scottish politician who served as First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) from 2014 to 2023. She has served as a member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) since 1999, first as an additional member for the Glasgow electoral region, and as the member for Glasgow Southside from 2007.
Sturgeon in 2021
Official parliamentary portrait, 1999
Sturgeon speaking to the Scottish Parliament, 2003
Sturgeon served as Deputy First Minister in Alex Salmond's administrations.
First Minister of Scotland
The first minister of Scotland, formally the First Minister and Keeper of the Scottish Seal, is the head of the Scottish Government and the keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland. The first minister chairs the Scottish Cabinet and is primarily responsible for the formulation, development, and presentation of the Scottish Government's policies. Additional functions of the first minister include promoting and representing Scotland in an official capacity, at home and abroad.
First Minister of Scotland
First Minister John Swinney taking the oath of office at the Court of Session
Scotland's law officers – the Lord Advocate and Solicitor General for Scotland
The First Minister becomes a member of the Privy Council upon receiving the Royal Warrant from the monarch
