Following a year as Head of Planning Division in the Scottish Executive Jim Mackinnon was appointed Chief Planner and Head of Planning and Building Standards Group in November 2000.

He joined the former Scottish Office from Motherwell District Council in 1979 and held a wide variety of posts and responsibilities. These include preparation of a wide range policy and advice, casework, research management and the establishment of the Planning Audit Unit. He was a member of the UK delegation to the Committee on Spatial Development and was appointed as an expert advisor on the National Spatial Strategy.

Jim was born in Forres in 1952 and educated at Forres Academy. He graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Geography in 1974 followed by a Diploma in Town Planning with Distinction from the University of Strathclyde in 1977.