Boyd works in the Children and Families Directorate in the Scottish Government, heading up the Getting it right for every child and young person Unit as well as leading on children's rights , youth work and disabled children . The team responsible for implementing Getting it right comprises a number of secondees as well as officials. Boyd has worked on children's policy since 1997 when he was involved in the children's hearings system and children's services.

Boyd joined the then Scottish Office in 1977 and has worked across a number of departments. He was seconded to the European Secretariat in Cabinet Office in Whitehall in the mid 1980s. He is a graduate of Heriot-Watt University and has a degree in French and Russian interpreting. Out of work he has broadcast in hospital radio for nearly 40 years and is interested in gardening, photography and travel.