One becomes two: new faces

In a break with tradition (if two-and-a-half years is long enough to build up a tradition), Malcolm Chisholm will have two deputy health ministers rather than one.

They are Hugh Henry and Mary Mulligan, both Labour MSPs.

Hugh Henry is the MSP for Paisley South. He was in local government from 1984 to 1999 and was leader of West Renfrewshire council from 1995 to 1999.

He has a degree in accountancy and is a member of the Transport and General Workers'Union.

He is a member of cross-party groups on children and young people, ME, epilepsy and tobacco control.

Mary Mulligan is MSP for Linlithgow. She, too, has a history in local government and has served on the former Edinburgh district council. Born in Liverpool in 1960, she studied economics and social studies at Manchester University. She is a former convenor of the Parliament's education committee. She is a member of cross-party groups on sport, women, epilepsy, children and young people and the Scottish contemporary music industry. She worked in retail management before starting a family.

Also worth mentioning is Patricia Ferguson, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill, who has been made minister for parliamentary business. As such, she will have a role in pushing forward public sector reform. Notably, she worked in NHS administration in the 1970s and 1980s in various posts in Glasgow and Lanarkshire before joining the Scottish TUC.

Likewise, Andy Kerr, the new minister for finance, has had public services added to his brief.

The MSP for East Kilbride is a member of Unison and of the cross-party group on older people.