By Rachel Amery
Copyright scotsman
The SNP has appointed a former MP and council leader as its new chief executive. Callum McCaig will take up the party role with immediate effect after Carol Beattie stepped down for personal health reasons. Mr McCaig is the former leader of Aberdeen City Council, the former MP for Aberdeen South, and a former special advisor to two SNP first ministers. Mr McCaig said: “It is a great privilege to be appointed as chief executive and I pay tribute to the work of my predecessor Carol Beattie. The party is fighting-fit and election ready. I look forward to working with John Swinney to secure that victory in 2026, and onward to independence.” Get daily political analysis – subscribe for free to The Steamie Ms Beattie said serving as the SNP’s chief executive had been a “privilege” and thanked those at the party headquarters for their work to bring about Scottish independence. She said she would continue to play a part in the party’s 2026 Scottish Parliament election campaign and the fight for independence. Angela Constance, the party’s business convener, said in a statement: “I am delighted to confirm Callum McCaig’s appointment as chief executive of the Scottish National Party. “Callum brings a wealth of experience from the public and private sector, and will steer the organisation with determination and focus as we head into the 2026 election campaign. “I’d like to pay tribute to Carol Beattie, who has been a lynchpin in delivering a streamlined headquarters operation, ensuring fiscal stability and with an acute focus on election-winning strategy. “I know this has not been an easy decision for her to make, but I admire her courage to put her own health first. I thank Carol wholeheartedly for her service to the SNP and to the wider cause of independence, both of which I know she will continue to campaign for.” Ms Beattie was given the role permanently in March after taking on the job on an interim basis in October. She is the former chief executive of Stirling Council and was appointed after Murray Foote resigned from the position. Mr Foote had held the job for about a year after his predecessor Peter Murrell quit over a row about party membership numbers.
