What does the Commissioner do?

The Commissioner’s role, as laid down by the terms of their appointment by Scottish Ministers, is to:

  • be open and accessible to the real life experiences of individual veterans and use information about them to shape priorities and drive improvement in public services;
  • raise the profile of veterans within Scotland, promoting wider recognition of their skills, experience and potential and further promoting their value as assets to communities and employers;
  • enhance focus on delivery of shared outcomes for veterans through collaboration, building on and complementing the work of partners and stakeholders;
  • improve communication, co-ordination and integration, joining up services where appropriate;
  • chair the Scottish Veterans Fund Panel to ensure that robust recommendations and appropriate applications for the Fund are presented to the Cabinet Secretary for Veterans, and
  • improve outcomes for Armed Forces and Veterans’ Families, recognising that they too require support, including during periods of transition.

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“It has given me a sense of belonging and helped me build confidence.”

That is the difference @forceschildrenscotland's work made for Isla, one of the young people featured in its new Impact Report.

During 2025/26, the charity supported 437 babies, children and young people from Armed Forces families through in-person work. A further 820 young people found support through its digital services.

The numbers matter, but so does ensuring children and young people feel heard, supported and able to shape the decisions affecting their lives.

I am proud to support Forces Children Scotland as one of its mission partners.

Read the 2025/26 Impact Report via the link in our bio.
“It has given me a sense of belonging and helped me build confidence.” That is the difference @forceschildrenscotland's work made for Isla, one of the young people featured in its new Impact Report. During 2025/26, the charity supported 437 babies, children and young people from Armed Forces families through in-person work. A further 820 young people found support through its digital services. The numbers matter, but so does ensuring children and young people feel heard, supported and able to shape the decisions affecting their lives. I am proud to support Forces Children Scotland as one of its mission partners. Read the 2025/26 Impact Report via the link in our bio.
7 hours ago
Preparations for the Scottish Poppy Appeal 2026 are already underway.

It was lovely to meet Leanne Bonner and Robyn Pattison from @Poppyscotland at the Scottish Parliament today, where they were encouraging parliamentarians and staff to volunteer some of their time for this year’s appeal.

Thank you to everyone helping make it happen.
Preparations for the Scottish Poppy Appeal 2026 are already underway. It was lovely to meet Leanne Bonner and Robyn Pattison from @Poppyscotland at the Scottish Parliament today, where they were encouraging parliamentarians and staff to volunteer some of their time for this year’s appeal. Thank you to everyone helping make it happen.
1 day ago
A pleasure to meet Gillian Russell, CEO of the Association of Royal Naval Officers and the Royal Naval Officers' Charity last week.

We discussed how these organisations provide comradeship and support for anyone who holds or has held commissioned rank in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and QARRNS, and their spouses or partners.

Veterans | Armed Forces Community
A pleasure to meet Gillian Russell, CEO of the Association of Royal Naval Officers and the Royal Naval Officers' Charity last week. We discussed how these organisations provide comradeship and support for anyone who holds or has held commissioned rank in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and QARRNS, and their spouses or partners. Veterans | Armed Forces Community
2 days ago
I attended a very helpful meeting this week with Kevin Kane, CEO of @sharedparentsco, and Mark Downie, their Armed Forces and Veterans Manager.
 
Our discussion highlighted the importance of ensuring that all family members affected by separation have access to the help they need, especially children, in order to achieve better outcomes for families and communities.
 
If this topic affects you, please reach out to @sharedparentsco
I attended a very helpful meeting this week with Kevin Kane, CEO of @sharedparentsco, and Mark Downie, their Armed Forces and Veterans Manager. Our discussion highlighted the importance of ensuring that all family members affected by separation have access to the help they need, especially children, in order to achieve better outcomes for families and communities. If this topic affects you, please reach out to @sharedparentsco
5 days ago
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