Civil servant to become US ‘ambassador’

Policy adviser to FM heading for Washington to build Scotland’s brand

An Angus woman is to move from her role as a key aide to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to become Scotland’s North American “ambassador”.

Joni Smith, whose family home is in Arbroath, has been appointed to the role of Scottish affairs counsellor, heading up a Washington office established within the British Embassy in 2001 to promote Scotland in the USA.

The post is seen as a leading position within the country’s civil service and the former journalist will be responsible for leading the effort to build on what Scottish ministers have described as a strong brand presence across the Atlantic.

Ms Smith moves to the role from her position as a senior policy adviser to the First Minister.

Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said: “The USA is Scotland’s biggest overseas trading partner, our largest inward investor and a hugely valuable tourism market, with US students accounting for the second largest overseas group in Scotland and links between Scottish schools, colleges and universities and their counterparts in the USA are constantly developing.”

The Scottish Government also has an office in Toronto, which opened six years ago.

Canada has been described as having “special significance” for Scotland.

“The strong and enduring historical links between our two countries ensure that there is no other country in the world where the Scottish diaspora is so prevalent or so well defined, not least in Nova Scotia (New Scotland),” said a spokesperson.

Ms Smith fills the gap created last year by the departure of previous incumbent Donnie Jack amid reports of a row over how Scotland should be promoted in the crucial market.

The Scottish Government said Mr Jack had completed his three-year term in the role, but the timing of the move and the hiatus created was questioned in some quarters.