Mairi McAllan Makes History

Scotland’s Economy Secretary Mairi McAllan is set to make history this summer as the first cabinet secretary in the nation to take maternity leave from her position. In a move being hailed as progress for women in leadership, McAllan announced she will be stepping back from her duties while welcoming her first child with husband Iain.

McAllan, 31, was appointed Economy Secretary in February after previously serving as Transport Secretary. In her role overseeing Scotland’s economy, net zero efforts, and energy policy, she has been a bold and ambitious leader working to build a greener and more prosperous future for the country. Now, she will spend the coming months setting up her portfolio priorities to allow her work to continue smoothly in her absence over the summer months.

Setting an Empowering Precedent

By taking maternity leave from her high-level cabinet role, McAllan hopes to send a powerful message. “I hope my example will send a strong signal to all women and girls – and to Scotland more generally – that starting a family should never be a barrier to holding senior positions,” she said. Only last year saw Kate Forbes take leave as Finance Secretary, showing the tide may be turning toward supporting women’s careers and families. McAllan’s decision could help dismantle outdated assumptions that political leadership requires sacrificing personal life events.

Humza Yousaf, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, praised McAllan’s choice. “I am pleased Màiri has agreed to remain cabinet secretary for wellbeing economy, net zero and energy while on leave, and take up her duties again upon her return after spending some treasured time with the exciting new addition to her family,” he said. All eyes will be on how Mairi McAllan’s groundbreaking move impacts views of modern leadership and work-life balance in Scotland and beyond.