On Sunday, September 21, 2025, the Scottish National Party (SNP) announced a major leadership shift at its headquarters: Callum McCaig, a former Aberdeen MP and council leader, has been appointed as the party's new chief executive. This decision, made official at a meeting of the SNP’s National Executive Committee, comes after Carol Beattie stepped down from the role with immediate effect, citing personal health reasons. The party, facing both internal and external challenges ahead of the crucial 2026 Holyrood elections, now looks to McCaig’s experience and energy to guide its next chapter.
McCaig, 40, is no stranger to the world of Scottish politics. He first drew national attention in 2011 when, at just 26, he became one of the UK’s youngest council leaders, taking the helm of Aberdeen Council. In 2015, he was elected as the MP for Aberdeen South, though he lost the seat two years later to the Conservatives’ Ross Thomson. Following his time at Westminster, McCaig served as a special adviser to two SNP first ministers: Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf. When John Swinney took over as party leader last year, McCaig stepped down from his advisory post, marking a brief pause before his return to frontline party management.
The appointment follows a period of rapid turnover at the SNP’s top administrative post. Since the long-serving Peter Murrell resigned in March 2023 amid controversy over party membership numbers, the chief executive’s chair has been something of a revolving door. Michael Russell and Sue Ruddick both filled the role on an interim basis before Murray Foote, a former Daily Record editor, was appointed. Foote lasted just over a year, stepping down in October 2024 after the party’s disappointing general election performance, citing that he "could not make the necessary personal commitment" to lead the party’s reorganisation. Carol Beattie, previously chief executive of Stirling Council, then took the reins—first on an interim basis from October 2024 and then permanently from March 2025.
Beattie’s tenure was marked by significant challenges. She oversaw a major redundancy drive at SNP headquarters, reducing staff from 26 to 16 in an effort to streamline operations and ensure fiscal stability. The party’s finances have been under intense scrutiny, especially with the ongoing police investigation (Operation Branchform) into SNP finances. The investigation led to the arrest of Peter Murrell in April 2023 and a re-arrest in March 2025 on embezzlement charges. Court proceedings are ongoing, with Murrell making no plea and being granted bail.
Financial pressures have been compounded by a sharp drop in party membership. According to accounts published by the Electoral Commission, SNP membership fell from 64,525 in June 2024 to 56,011 a year later—less than half its 2019 peak of around 125,000. The party’s deficit surged to £455,254 in 2024, a stark reversal from a surplus of £661,568 the previous year. The accounts also revealed an outstanding £60,000 loan from Murrell that may be written off and noted that a £100,000 motorhome seized by police was valued at just £41,284. Despite these setbacks, the SNP remains the largest political party in Scotland by membership.
Carol Beattie’s departure, though sudden, was met with understanding and respect from party colleagues. In her resignation statement, she said, “It has been a privilege to serve as Chief Executive of the SNP and to have led the transformation of Headquarters ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election. I’d like to thank my colleagues in SNP HQ who have supported this work and thank them for their tireless efforts every day in the campaign to create a brighter future for Scotland with independence. While I am stepping down with immediate effect due to personal health reasons, I will continue to play my part in the campaign to deliver an SNP victory in 2026 and Scotland’s journey to independence.”
The party’s business convener, Angela Constance, expressed gratitude for Beattie’s service and optimism for McCaig’s leadership. “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.”
McCaig himself acknowledged the gravity of the moment and the challenges ahead. “It is a great privilege to be appointed as chief executive and I pay tribute to the work of my predecessor, Carol Beattie,” he said. “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.” McCaig’s background in both public service and the private sector, particularly in public affairs and campaigns, is seen by party insiders as well-suited to the demands of the coming election cycle.
The speed of the leadership change caught some within the party off guard. According to BBC reporting, several SNP insiders were unaware of the shift until it was publicly announced. This rapid appointment, bypassing a typical open recruitment process, may have been driven by the looming 2026 election and a desire to ensure continuity and stability in the party’s campaign machinery. While some questioned the lack of a broader search, others welcomed the swift move and McCaig’s political experience.
Meanwhile, the SNP continues to navigate the fallout from previous controversies. The resignation and subsequent legal troubles of Peter Murrell, who had served as chief executive since 1999 and was married to Nicola Sturgeon until their separation in January 2025, cast a long shadow over party affairs. Sturgeon, who announced the couple’s split in January, remains an influential figure, though her era as first minister ended in 2023.
Despite these internal and external pressures, the SNP remains committed to its core mission: securing a pro-independence majority at Holyrood in 2026. Both McCaig and Beattie have emphasized the party’s readiness for the campaign ahead and its ongoing drive for Scottish independence. The coming months will test the resilience of the party’s new leadership and its ability to rally members and voters alike.
The SNP’s leadership transition, though abrupt, signals both continuity and renewal at a pivotal moment. With McCaig at the helm, the party enters the next phase of its campaign—battle-tested, reorganized, and, by its own account, “fighting-fit.”
