Maree Todd

Maree Todd is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician and a registered pharmacist. She graduated from Robert Gordon University with a BSc in Pharmacy in 1994 and worked as a hospital pharmacist at New Craigs Psychiatric Hospital, NHS Highland, before entering politics.

Elected as a regional MSP for the Highlands and Islands in May 2016, she quickly rose through ministerial ranks. Her early portfolios included Minister for Children and Young People (2017–2021), where she focused on early years policy and child protection. She then served as Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport (2021–2023), leading Scotland’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and advancing women’s health initiatives.

In March 2023 Todd became Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, a role that expanded to include drugs and alcohol policy in June 2025. Since May 2026 she has held her current portfolio as Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs, making her the lead minister for Scotland’s public-health approach to tackling gambling harms. She also represents the Highlands and Islands as a regional MSP.

Todd’s background as a hospital pharmacist in mental health services informs her ongoing work on addiction, mental wellbeing, and preventive public health. She has championed the introduction of a statutory gambling levy and tighter regulation of online gambling, framing harm reduction as a core public health priority.