The special advisers appointed to date are: Name Appointed Role Kevin Pringle 26 May 2011 Head of Communications, strategic communication across all portfolios and political spokesperson Noel Dolan 26 May 2011 Support to the Deputy First Minister, Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy Stephen Noon 26 May 2011 First Minister support (p/t) Alex Bell 26 May 2011 Head of Research, Strategy, Constitution, Rural Affairs and the Environment, UK Relations and External Affairs Jennifer Erickson 13 June 2011 Economy and Council of Economic Advisers (p/t) Geoff Aberdein 26 May 2011 Lead on FMQs, the forward planning of FM announcements, Commonwealth Games and Sport Stuart Nicolson 26 May 2011 Depute Head of Communications and political spokesperson Stephen Gethins 26 May 2011 Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth, Infrastructure and Capital Investment David Hutchison 8 June 2011 Education, Culture and Lifelong Learning John McFarlane 26 May 2011 Justice and Parliamentary Business John MacInnes 3 June 2011 Communications and political spokesperson The current special adviser pay ranges are: Pay Band Pay Range Number in Pay Range 1 £39,445 to £52,904 4 2 £51,041 to £67,709 2 3 £65,017 to £83,963 5 3 (premium) £83,549 to £100,942 0 4 £86,965 to £104,462 0 The estimated salary cost of the current team of 11 special advisers in post (including ERNIC and employer pension contributions) is £822,000.