Sir Murdo Maclean was a career civil servant who worked in the Prime Minister's office in 10 Downing Sreet during the Wilson and Heath administrations. In 1972,he returned to the Department of Trade and Industry where he worked on regional and industrial policy. In 1978,during the Callaghan administration, he was appointed as the third ever Private Secretary to the Government Chief Whip at 12 Downing Street. He served in this capacity throughout the Thatcher and Major governments and for virtually the whole of the first Blair administration, working in all with nine Chief Whips.

Since leaving Government, he has held executive and consultancy posts. He has been, and remains, associated with a number of charities.

Sir Murdo is a Freeman of the City of London. He received a Knighthood in 2000 in recognition of his services.