Edinburgh – Tuesday 1st July 2025: Two former MPs – Hannah Bardell and Martin Docherty-Hughes have joined Scottish Media Training as Associates to provide the ‘coalface’ expertise to witnesses requiring intensive training prior to a potentially business critical parliamentary committee appearance – at Holyrood and/or Westminster.
Scottish Media Training was launched in 2011 by Public Affairs veteran Devin Scobie and Kevin Dorrian, founding director of PR company, Acumen. With Holyrood elections in ten months, SMT is widening its portfolio of services in response to growing client demand in front of influential committees.
The company started out as a bespoke media trainer and has added presentation, social media and speechwriting training to its growing range of services.
Now, with more organisations coming under scrutiny by elected Parliamentarians, Scottish Media Training believes the addition of two widely respected former politicians gives its parliamentary training arm a massive boost with the addition of two senior, recently serving, MPs.
Hannah Bardell, Martin Docherty-Hughes, Devin Scobie & Kevin Dorrian
Both have already been working with SMT clients and bring a range of additional experience. Hannah Bardell was a Member of the UK Parliament for nine years (for Livingston 2015-2024) and a Member of the Council of Europe (The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe PACE) for six years.
She has 20 years of experience across the spectrum of UK elected office, commercial television, journalism, political communications, the energy industry, and Government: UK, US, Scottish and European.
She remains a frequent commentator and contributor in the media, appearing on programmes such as STV – Scotland Tonight, BBC Newsnight, Question Time, Sky News, and a wide range of radio programmes.
Martin Docherty-Hughes is also a three-term former MP, gaining his seat in 2015 and is a specialist in Government Relations and Public Affairs. Martin led on diverse policy areas, including defence, digital resilience, and emerging technologies. He built trusted relationships across Holyrood and Westminster, the diplomatic community, media, and civic society—ensuring strategic engagement and delivering results in high-pressure environments.
A former National Policy Adviser at Volunteer Scotland and a Councillor on Glasgow City Council, he further honed his skills in policy development, stakeholder engagement, and public service delivery.
Devin Scobie, founding partner of Scottish Media Training comments,
“As someone who has worked at the coalface of Holyrood since the start, appearing in front of a committee can be a daunting experience. By having Hannah and Martin on our team, we’re introducing two people with vast experience of sitting/chairing a diverse range of committees asking the questions and evaluating the credibility of the responses.”
Hannah Bardell comments,
‘I’m delighted to be joining Scottish Media Training as an associate. I worked with Devin when I was an MP, and I know that he and Kevin have a wealth of talent and experience built and crafted over many years. I know Martin and I can contribute to that and bring a blend of skills, experience and different expertise that will offer current and new clients a unique experience to help them prepare for the ever changing and increasingly dramatic media and political landscape.”
Martin Docherty-Hughes added,
“Appearing before a parliamentary committee can be one of the most challenging tests an organisation will face. Having been both a witness and a committee member, I understand the pressure and the importance of preparation.
I look forward to offering clients the benefit of real parliamentary insight. Together at Scottish Media Training, we’re helping organisations cut through the noise, present with clarity, and meet valid scrutiny with confidence.”
Scottish Media Training has worked with an extensive range of clients including NFUS, National Trust for Scotland, NHS Public Health Scotland, multiple charities as diverse as CHAS to Stonewall, The Universities of St Andrews and Abertay, and Community Pharmacy Scotland.