[2] The current Cabinet Secretary is Kate Forbes, who has served since May 2024 alongside her role as Deputy First Minister.

The role was first titled Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, with the initial holder being Keith Brown, who was appointed in May 2016.

[3] In February 2020, a Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture was appointed, taking over many of the responsibilities of the former portfolio, which were thus again held separately from the Finance brief.

Under First Minister Humza Yousaf, Neil Gray was appointed as Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy Secretary, with the Finance brief again becoming a separate post.

Following a reshuffle, Màiri McAllan held the portfolio of Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy.