Sir John William Elvidge KCB, FRSE (born 9 February 1951) is the former Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government.

[1] He was born on 9 February 1951, son of Herbert William Elvidge and Irene Teresa Reynolds, and educated at Sir George Monoux School in Walthamstow, North- East London.

[2] He studied English language and literature at St Catherine's College, Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

While at the Scottish Office, Elvidge worked particularly in the fields of economic development, physical infrastructure and European Union relations.

[3] He was seconded to Scottish Homes, from 1988 to 1989, and to the Cabinet Office, from 1998 to 1999, where he was involved in co-ordination of the Government's legislative programme and social policies.