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Emily Maccines
The longest serving, and first woman, First Minister of Scotland, Nicola is a leader and pioneer in politics. Working with five UK Prime Ministers through events including the independence referendum, Brexit and the pandemic, Nicola considers the profound lessons, both personal and professional, in leadership, decision-making and trust-building that her remarkable career has instilled.
Nicola Sturgeon was Scotland's longest serving First Minister - serving for almost nine years - and the first woman to hold the office. She led Scotland through Brexit and the Covid pandemic, working with five UK Prime Ministers along the way. As SNP leader, she led her party to eight successive election victories.
Having joined the SNP as a teenager, Nicola earned a law degree from the University of Glasgow, and worked as a solicitor before entering frontline politics. She was elected as one of the inaugural members of the re-established Scottish Parliament. Before being elected First Minister, Nicola was the Deputy First Minister. She was also Scotland's Health Secretary - the longest-serving in that role in devolved government - before a period as Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities. She also helped lead the Yes campaign in the 2014 independence referendum. As leader of the SNP she steered the party to a position of electoral dominance in Scotland, and to being the third party in Westminster, whilst also establishing herself as a dedicated representative of Scotland internationally, and a highly influential voice within Scottish and UK politics.
Nicola considers the personal and professional lessons in leadership, decision-making and resilience that a career at the top of politics has taught. With extensive experience working with colleagues, partners and opponents in the Scottish and UK Parliaments, she looks at placing values and purpose at the core of what you do, and how to bring others with you even if they don't entirely agree. She also shares her experience of dealing with the scrutiny and pressure leadership brings, the importance of trust and empathy, and how to know when to stand by your judgements and when to change your thinking.
Away from politics, Nicola is an avid reader, citing literature as one of the loves of her life. Her autobiography, Frankly, is a widely-praised reflection on a remarkable personal and public life. From her early life growing up in Ayrshire, through the relationships, experiences and events that shaped her politics, to her time leading her country, it’s a candid exploration of the challenges, regrets, hopes and accomplishments of a singular leader.
