Scotland's need for capital investment in infrastructure is well researched, documented and signposted. However, our ability to deliver in core areas such as net zero, transport, housing, digital infrastructure and projects supporting public service delivery is now acutely challenged by the state of our public finances following pandemic, war, recession and budget recklessness. So, how bad is the picture on our infrastructure prospects and what can be done to prioritise spending, innovate on funding, attract additional investment and find new ways to partner in project delivery?
Prior to entering into pandemic, infrastructure was one of the four pillars of the Scottish Government's economic strategy. Long term strategic planning allied to key infrastructure investment in the short term was the stated objective. Now however, we face the prospect that "our capital budget will be unable to deliver as much as would have been judged possible just a few months ago" - John Swinney MSP, Deputy First Minister, Scottish Government (Budget 2023-24 Debate, Scottish Parliament, 15 Dec 2022). Increased project input costs are fuelling infrastructure and capital project restrictions. No carry forward from the previous year's Scottish Government budget is anticipated, closing off another option for short-term assistance. In consequence, Ministers are reviewing the capital programme in the light of both rising costs and significant increased wider budget demands.
During the period in which we saw the report of the Scottish Infrastructure Commission, the arrival of ambitious and substantial increases in capital budgets, the implementation of NPF4 and the arrival of City Deals, Scotland's infrastructure seemed set for a sustained boost. However, our public finances have been dramatically altered following the hiatus of pandemic, the consequences of war for all economies, the impact of UK recession and the last Chancellor's short lived budget and its outcomes. So, where do capital budgets and projects and the prospects for investment in Scotland's infrastructure now stand?
What are our core infrastructure projects now and where do their prospects lie? How do we modernise infrastructure, achieve Net Zero, build what is needed to support public services, deliver placemaking projects for resilient communities, ensure transport infrastructure for economic growth and competitiveness and get the investment needed in bricks and mortar to meet housing demand?
This conference examines where we stand on Scottish capital investment and infrastructure now and in the future, what can be done to address the impact on project delivery and how we can attempt to innovate for new and additonal investment and partnerships. It will focus on three themes:
Topics to be discussed
Who should attend
This conference will be relevant for anyone involved in the planning, building, maintenance, financing or delivery of infrastructure in Scotland in both the public and private sectors. This includes those working in the development and maintenance of infrastructure projects and capital investment, those with responsibility for commissioning or strategic planning of infrastructure projects and those engaged in placemaking, partnership working or regeneration in major projects. This includes engineering and infrastructure companies, regulators, infrastructure lawyers, planners, academics and managers, project managers and professional advisors, people working in capital and infrastructure project services supply and their partners in the infrastructure supply chain.
Director - Research and Strategy
Rettie & Co
Senior Lecturer in Public Sector Finance and Chief Advisor of Studies
Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow and Secretary, BAFA Scotland
Director Public Sector Partnerships, Scotland
Robertson
Senior Associate
Brodies LLP
Deputy Director for Infrastructure and Investment
Scottish Government
John Boyle (Dr)
Director - Research and Strategy
Rettie & Co
Dr John Boyle leads the Rettie & Co Research Team, providing a cutting-edge research and consultancy function. His work informs clients on sales, lettings, investment and development opportunities. He also analyses the current status of property markets and assesses how they are likely to change. Over the last 17 years, he has worked for all of the major house builders in Scotland, the Scottish Government, many local authorities and investors. He led the Scottish Government’s study into the 5-year Review of the Home Report. He sits on Homes for Scotland’s Policy Advisory Group and is a member of the Society of Property Researchers and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Lynn Bradley
Senior Lecturer in Public Sector Finance and Chief Advisor of Studies
Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow and Secretary, BAFA Scotland
Lynn Bradley is an accountant with more than 30 years’ experience of working in the Scottish public and private sectors. She was formerly the Head of Finance for West Dunbartonshire Council, where her responsibilities included local tax collection. More recently, she was Director of Corporate Programmes & Performance with Audit Scotland. She is a former chair of CIPFA in Scotland and a former chair of the Local Authority Accounts Scotland Advisory Committee. She is currently a University teacher in the Adam Smith Business School at Glasgow University, where she specialises in audit, risk and control.
Jonathan Guthrie
Director Public Sector Partnerships, Scotland
Robertson
In his role as Director for Public Sector Partnerships, Scotland, Jonathan Jonathan focuses on developing project options, solutions and delivery strategies for Robertson's public sector customers across Scotland. He manages the contact point for Robertson Group with key public partners and helps develop strategies that deliver their objectives. Over the last 11 years he has assisted numerous public bodies to develop and deliver major projects across the UK.
Jonathan has over 20 years’ experience in the Technology, Design, Property and Construction sector, as well as in Finance and Investment in Strategic Development working with both the private and public sectors.
Jonathan has overseen the development of projects, particularly for two funding mechanisms: REIF (Renewable Energy Investment Fund) and UK GIB (Green Investment Bank). This has involved the development and coordination of the Scottish Green Investment Portfolio (SGIP) assisting the accessibility for finance for Low Carbon and Green Sector projects, development and planning of new funds and delivery structures for Energy, Waste and Community Renewable projects.
A large part of Jonathan’s Scottish Government role was in liaising between the public and private sectors for project inception and development. He advised on the development of teams to progress projects and investment structures and sourcing Public and Private finance and delivery interest for major projects.
Jonathan also carried out a similar role for the City of Edinburgh Council, for strategic property and investment development. He created Project Edinburgh and the String of Pearls projects for the City of Edinburgh whilst on secondment from Standard Life from 2004 to 2008.
Having created a number of development frameworks, projects and investment opportunities with the Project Edinburgh Design Team, Jonathan and the team then secured major investment interest in the city from global investors and developers. These include the St James Quarter (Henderson Global), SOCO.
Katherine White
Deputy Director for Infrastructure and Investment
Scottish Government
Katherine has played a leading role in the development of Scottish Government policy in a range of technical and high-profile policy areas, specialising in Energy and Climate Change.
Katherine’s current role is to lead the Scottish Government’s approach to the allocation of public funding for infrastructure investment; ensuring best value and targeting spending that delivers Scotland’s long term outcomes.
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