17 June 2025
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh
Refreshments and exhibitor stands will be located in the Ballroom.
Programme
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 08:30 | Registration opens and audience arrives |
| 09:00 | Opening remarks by Bernard Ponsonby, Chair of Scotland 2050 (Music Hall) |
| 09:10 | Keynote speech by Alex Cole Hamilton MSP, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats followed by a Q&A (Music Hall) |
| 09:30 | PANEL 1: INTERGENERATIONAL FAIRNESS - BOOMERS TO GEN Z (Music Hall) Jeane Freeman, Former Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport Eddie Barnes, Director of the John Smith Centre, University of Glasgow Josie Sclater, Senior Policy Officer, Scottish Property Federation Emily Hughes, Associate Director, CBRE With rising housing costs, pension pressures, climate responsibilities, and public service funding under strain, how do we strike a balance between the needs of younger and older generations? Our expert panel will examine the choices facing Scotland today – and what fairness across generations should look like in a modern, forward-looking society. |
| 10:00 | PANEL 2: BUILDING A RESILIENT ECONOMY FOR THE FUTURE (Music Hall) Willie Rennie MSP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Communities, Economy and Education Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute Michael McLaughlin, Solicitor & Partner at Shoosmiths Daniel Johnson MSP, Scottish Labour Spokesperson on Business, Fair Work and Economy Daniel Coleman, Economist, Deloitte In the world of politics, it's often commented that it's all about the economy. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion about how best to create a resilient economy for Scotland’s future. |
| 11:00 | PANEL 3: FROM TRANSITION TO TRANSFORMATION: REALISING SCOTLAND’S ENERGY POTENTIAL BY 2050, Sponsored by EnBW (Music Hall)
Stephen Sheal, Director of Government Relations at the Net Zero Technology Centre Jamie Brogan, Head of Climate Partnerships, Edinburgh Climate Change Institute Dr Kirsten E H Jenkins,Senior Lecturer in Energy, Environment and Society, University of Edinburgh Sam Airey, Government & Stakeholder Engagement Manager Scotland stands at a pivotal moment in its energy journey - decisions now must navigate the energy transition whilst creating a future energy system that delivers for society, economy, and the environment. This panel will explore how Scotland can fully realise the value of its abundant energy resources, world-leading innovation, and commitment to a just transition. As we chart a path toward a net zero future, speakers from government, industry, and the public sector will discuss the policy, investment, and infrastructure decisions needed today to unlock long-term benefits by 2050 - from jobs and energy security, to export opportunities and community engagement. |
| 12:00 | PANEL 4: A BETTER FUTURE FOR WOMEN IN PUBLIC LIFE – Sponsored by Pentland Communications (Music Hall)
Kate Forbes MSP, Deputy First Minister of Scotland, Cabinet Secretary for Economy & Gaelic Cherie Blair KC, Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women Join us for a conversation with Kate Forbes MSP, Deputy First Minister of Scotland, and Cherie Blair, KC, Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women to discover how their lived experiences can provide insights into improving future opportunities for women in public life. |
| 13:00 | Keynote speech by Rt. Hon John Swinney MSP, First Minister of Scotland followed by a Q&A (Music Hall) |
| 13:15 | Lunch |
| 14:10 | Keynote speech by Anas Sarwar MSP, Leader of the Scottish Labour Party followed by a Q&A (Music Hall) |
| 14:30 | PANEL 5: SCOTLAND’S PLACE IN A CHANGING WORLD (Music Hall)
Paul Sweeney MSP, Scottish Labour Party, Deputy Spokesperson on Mental Health and Veterans Neil Bibby MSP, Scottish Labour, West Scotland Gordon Robertson, Chief Communications & Sustainability Officer, Edinburgh Airport Gary Innes, musician and BBC presenter As global politics shift and new alliances take shape, where does Scotland fit in? This panel explores Scotland’s Place in the World — from its international relationships and soft power to trade, diplomacy, and the challenges of a post-Brexit, climate-conscious world. Join leading voices from politics, academia, and international affairs for this wide-ranging and future- focused discussion. |
| 15:05 | Break |
| 15:20 | PANEL 6: SOLVING SCOTLAND’S HOUSING CRISIS (Music Hall)
Andrew Roberts, Strategic Land Regional Director – Scotland, Taylor Wimpey Barry McKeown, Head of Real Estate Scotland, Shoosmiths Gary Smith, Executive Director, Hallam Land Mark Griffin MSP, Sottish Labour, Deputy Party Spokesperson on Housing and Local Government Katherine Sangster, National Manager, Scottish Fabians Housing remains one of Scotland’s most urgent issues. This panel brings together voices from development, law, and politics to explore practical solutions to the housing crisis. They will explore the current challenges in the housing market, discuss practical solutions, and then look ahead to 2050 and discuss what kind of housing system we want to build for future generations, so that we have sustainable communities that meet the needs of a growing and diverse population. |
| 16:10 | Closing remarks by Bernard Ponsonby (Chair) |
Join the Conversation!
On the day of the event, please use the hashtag #Scotland2050 when sharing your thoughts, photos, and key takeaways. Help us build a vibrant online community around the event!
