Former college lecturer Gillian Martin has been appointed Scotland’s new minister for FE, HE and science.

She takes over from Shirley-Anne Somerville, who yesterday became social security and older people secretary as part of first minister Nicola Sturgeon’s reshuffle.

Ms Martin, who is the MSP for Aberdeenshire East and a member of the Scottish parliament’s education and skills committee, worked as a lecturer in TV production at what is now North East Scotland College for 15 years.

College lecturer

She is a graduate of the University of Glasgow and has run her own business in video production and training for the energy sector. Ms Martin was the manager of an emergency media response team for oil and gas companies for 10 years.

As part of the reshuffle, Jamie Hepburn, who was until now employment and skills minister and responsible for apprenticeships, has been given the new role of business, fair work and skills. This means he will add the business brief to his previous employment and skills brief. He will report jointly to the education secretary and the new finance, economy and fair work secretary.

Shona Struthers, chief executive of Colleges Scotland, said: “The minister’s previous role as a college lecturer means she already has a good understanding of what colleges do, which is great news for the sector.”