Thomson, Ken- Director General Strategy and External Affairs, Scottish Government- ACOBA advice
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-30)

Advice to Ken Thomson, former Director General Strategy and External Affairs, Scottish Government, on business appointments after leaving Crown service

Mr Thomson left his role at the Scottish Government in November 2023.

Trustee, Lammermuir Festival

Mr Thomson sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with the Lammermuir Festival. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/689224b3a34b939141463f7e/Advice_letter_-_Ken_Thomson__Trustee__Lammermuir_Festival.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in July 2025; and the appointment was announced later that month. An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/publications/thomson-ken-director-general-strategy-and-external-affairs-scottish-government-acoba-advice/advice-letter-ken-thomson-trustee-lammermuir-festival?preview=8775084)

Director, Scottish International Education Trust

Mr Thomson sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with the Scottish International Education Trust. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65a90770ed27ca000d27b218/_2024-01-final_advice-KT-SIET__1_.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in January 2024; and the appointment was announced later that month. An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/publications/thomson-ken-director-general-strategy-and-external-affairs-scottish-government-acoba-advice/advice-letter-ken-thomson-scottish-international-education-trust?preview=7769322)

Honorary Visiting Professor, University of Glasgow

Mr Thomson sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with the University of Glasgow. The letter (https://draft-assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6580693b5ca0170013734bbe/2023-10-Advice_Letter_-KT___University_of_Glasgow.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in October 2023; and the appointment was announced in December 2023. An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/publications/thomson-ken-director-general-strategy-and-external-affairs-scottish-government-acoba-advice/advice-letter-ken-thomson-honorary-visiting-professor-university-of-glasgow?preview=7724128)

Public Interests Member, Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland

Mr Thomson sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with the Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland. The letter (https://draft-assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65806b7c6113b60014194cba/2023-10-Advice_Letter-KT-Institute_of_Chartered_Accountants_Scotland.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in October 2023; and the appointment was announced in December 2023. An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/publications/thomson-ken-director-general-strategy-and-external-affairs-scottish-government-acoba-advice/advice-letter-ken-thomson-public-interest-member-institute-of-chartered-accountants-scotland?preview=7724155)