FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon has unveiled a series of new appointments to the Scottish Government and cabinet following the resignation of Derek Mackay earlier this month.

Mackay resigned following reports he had bombarded a 16-year-old schoolboy with 270 predatory messages.

In the messages, Mackay is reported to have called the boy “cute”.

Kate Forbes, Ben Macpherson, Fiona Hyslop and Jenny Gilruth have new roles while Michael Russell and Fergus Ewing have new responsibilities. 

Here's a guide to the new appointments and responsibilities. 

CABINET SECRETARY FOR FINANCE

KATE Forbes takes over as Cabinet Secretary for Finance after she stepped in to deliver the Scottish Budget with just a few hours notice after Mackay stepped down.

READ MORE: Kate Forbes to be first female Finance Secretary

The 29-year-old was widely praised for her performance including by the First Minister and opposition MSPs and was immediately discussed as a possible successor to Sturgeon.

She will also retain her current responsibility for the Digital Economy.

PUBLIC FINANCE AND MIGRATION 

BEN Macpherson will move from Europe Minister to join the Finance team as Minister for Public Finance and Migration – where they will continue to make the strong economic and social case for a distinct migration policy for Scotland.

The National:

Macpherson will also work on issues around green and climate finance, to help ensure all of Scotland can deliver on our target of ending our contribution to climate change. He will also be tasked with ensuring that wellbeing sits at the heart of the budget process.

He will continue to make the case for Scotland to have a distinct migration system to meet economic, social and financial needs

CABINET SECRETARY FOR THE ECONOMY, FAIR WORK AND CULTURE

FIONA Hyslop will move from the Europe and External Affairs brief in Cabinet to taking responsibility for the economy as Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture.

MINISTER FOR EUROPE AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

SNP MP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Jenny Gilruth has been nominated to join the Government as Minister for Europe and International Development, where she will support Michael Russell.

CABINET SECRETARY FOR THE CONSTITUTION, EUROPE AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

As the process of Brexit, and the discussion on Scotland’s constitutional future move into a new phase, Michael Russell’s responsibilities will be expanded as Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs.

CABINET SECRETARY FOR RURAL ECONOMY AND TOURISM

FERGUS Ewing will take on responsibility for tourism as Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism.