Presiding Officer - Definition and Overview

Politics of Scotland

Scottish Parliament Scottish Executive

First Minister Presiding Officer Lord Advocate Solicitor General Members of Parliament (MSPs)

Local government

Elections Political parties

UK Parliament Scotland Office Secretary of State for Scotland

The Presiding Officer (Oifigear-Riaghlaidh in Scots Gaelic) is the person elected by the Members of the Scottish Parliament to chair their meetings. They also head the corporate body of the Scottish Parliament and as such are viewed as a figurehead for the entire organisation. Two deputy presiding officers are elected to help fulfil the role.

The first person to hold the position was David Steel, appointed in 1999 and succeeded by George Reid in 2003.