Laurence started as Director, Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland on 2 November 2020. Prior to that he was the Head of Strategy and Communications at the City of Edinburgh Council where he was responsible for corporate strategy, council wide change and performance, and communications. Laurence joined the City of Edinburgh Council from the UK Government where he was a Senior Civil Servant across a number of different roles. Most significantly, Laurence played a key role in the creation of City Deals and the wider devolution agenda. Laurence was the Head of the Cities Policy Unit in the Cabinet Office from 2013-15 and the Head of Devolution Strategy at the Cities and Local Growth Unit from 2015-16.
Laurence lives near Edinburgh and is married to Kirsty who does Marketing for Dobbies. Laurence has two children, Sammy 6 and Emily 3 and likes running, cycling and doing badly at Fantasy football.