Team Scotland 2050
Barrie Cunning
Scotland 2050 Founder
Passionate about Scotland's potential at home and abroad, Barrie recognised the lack of a forum to ask the big questions about Scotland and where we want Scotland to be by 2050. Barrie's curiosity and ambition to explore a new kind of thinking about Scotland's future led to the creation of the Scotland 2050 conference.
Barrie is the founding director of Pentland Communications which was established in 2018. As a consultancy, Pentland operates in a diverse sphere of influence working across various sectors including housebuilding, renewables and the third sector.
With a vast political network and reach, Barrie stood for the Scottish Parliament constituency of Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire in 2016 and has strong ties with both the UK Labour Government and the Scottish Labour Party. A passionate writer, Barrie regularly writes for The Scotsman, The Herald and has also written for the New Statesman and the I paper.
Dan Coleman
Programme Content and Economic Policy
Dan is a professional economist with 17 years' experience in both the public and private sectors, including Whitehall Departments, competition regulators and now an economic consultant for Deloitte focussed on technology, media and telecoms regulation. Dan has experience working on industrial strategy including in the oil and gas, offshore wind and nuclear sectors. He led the analysis of around 20 mergers for the Competition and Markets Authority and has advised big tech firms.
He was also Scottish Labour's Westminster candidate for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale in the 2024 General Election.
Owen Thompson
Programme Content and Strategy
A distinguished political career spanning two decades, Privy Councillor and former SNP Chief Whip, Member of Parliament for Midlothian, Owen has long standing connections and relationships with both the UK and Scottish Governments.
Martin Whitfield
Strategic Advisor
Martin is a former UK and Scottish Parliamentarian with extensive experience in legislative scrutiny, governance, and policy. With a professional background in law and education, he now advises organisations on parliamentary engagement, governance, and children's rights. Martin is passionate about shaping a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous Scotland by 2050.
Sam Airey
Programme Content and Strategy
Sam has a decade's experience working across research, policy and politics with expertise in environmental science, conversation and energy policy. He's worked at Chatham House, advised UK Members of Parliament, and was the Founding Director of the Sophia Point Rainforest Research Centre.
Fiona Wood
Graphic Design and Creative Content
Fiona is a design specialist with over 20 years of experience working in both the agency and in-house design departments in the private and public sector and also runs her own business.
Jo Lennon
Website Design & Management
Jo is responsible for the design, creation, and management of the Scotland 2050 website. She plays a pivotal role in developing engaging content, optimising user experience, and monitoring data analytics to enhance our online presence.
Jo previously worked in the Web and Social Media Team at the Scottish Parliament.