Philip Rycroft

Philip Rycroft is a civil servant who sits on the Management Group of the Scottish Executive. Amongst other things he has been seconded to to the European Commission and worked as a lobbyist on a two year secondment.

Philip Rycroft was appointed Head of the Scottish Executive's Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Department (ETLLD) and took up post in May 2005, following the retirement of Eddie Frizzell. Prior to that, since June 2002, Mr Rycroft was Head of Schools Group within the Scottish Executive Education Department.

Mr Rycroft began his career in 1989 in the then Scottish Office Department of Agriculture & Fisheries. His posts have included Head of the Unit dealing with European policy in the Industry Department (the forerunner of ETLLD); a two year secondment with the European Commission, working in the cabinet of the Trade Commissioner, Sir Leon Brittan; Head of the division responsible for general agricultural and rural policy; Deputy Head of the Scottish Executive's Policy Unit; and another 2 year secondment as Public Affairs Manager with Scottish & Newcastle PLC.

As Head of ETLLD, Mr Rycroft is a member of the Scottish Executive Management Group, where he contributes to the formation of corporate policies and provides visible leadership in communicating and driving delivery of those policies.