SNP press chief Kevin Pringle to leave for private sector job

The SNP's strategic communications director, Kevin Pringle, is leaving the party to take up a new job in the private sector.

He will be joining the communications consultancy Charlotte Street partners, which is based in Edinburgh and London.

It was founded last year by BAA's former communications director, Malcolm Robertson, and the former head of group communications at RBS, Andrew Wilson.

Mr Pringle was previously a senior special adviser to Alex Salmond.

The consultancy is also welcoming on board Mary Teresa Rainey who is the chairwoman of Think, one of the UK's leading digital agencies, and was founding partner of advertising agency Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R.

Ms Rainey will join the board in July and Mr Pringle will join as a partner in August.

Of his move from politics to the private sector, Mr Pringle said: "Following a remarkable and intense few years of political campaigning, I'm looking forward to a fresh challenge in the private sector. Charlotte Street Partners is an exciting young business with a high-quality team.

"They already have an impressive mix of major clients and I am keen to play my part in helping to take the business forward.

"My final few weeks with the SNP will be spent at Westminster, where the new-look House of Commons promises to provide a fascinating experience."

Charlotte Street Partners, which is chaired by Sir Angus Grossart, provides strategic management and communications advice to a number of companies and institutions.