Neil joined the Government Office on 28 January 2008.
Previously Neil worked at the Department for Education and Skills and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills on skills issues with responsibility for:
- public service agreement targets
- basic skills
- employability
- adult learning
- English for speakers of other languages
- migration.
Educated in Edinburgh, Neil joined the construction industry before reading and tutoring Sociology at Edinburgh University. Following a spell in youth work, specialising in training, research and addressing drugs misuse, he moved to the Scottish Further Education Unit to work on training and technology projects.
Neil then worked with City & Guilds where he held management responsibilities in customer relations, quality assurance and business development. In January 2003 he was appointed to lead skills development at the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
In his spare time Neil chairs a retraining project for young offenders and enjoys gardening, rugby, sailing and reading.
