RSA Scotland: facing the future

Our chair will be RSA Fellow The Rt Hon Ken Macintosh, former Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer. The event will follow on directly from our 19th November event ‘Where next for Scotland’s strategic approach to government?’.

Please arrive between 14.15-14.25. Our event will follow a tight timetable between 14.30-18.00, followed by a chance to network. There will be two sessions, with Q&A time included in each session. Small nibbles and refreshment will be provided, but you are encouraged to have lunch before attending.

Whilst speakers are here shown alphabetically, the speaking sequence will differ.

- Ewan Aitken FRSA: Third Sector Provocation including on housing and local authorities

- Charles Fowler: Values Alliance Perspective on The Importance of Ethics and Values

- Catherine Holden: Culture Sector Challenges

- Katie Kelly: Community powered Public Service transformation

- Lesley Martin FRSA: Citizen Engagement: Problems and Potential

- Ann Packard FRSA, Elected RSA Fellowship Council Member

- Esther Roberton: Building Local Democracy

- Professor Graeme Roy FRSE: A Fiscal Commission Perspective

- Jen Wallace FRSA: Scotland’s current policy landscape

- Tom Ward FRSA: Provocation from a Private Sector Entrepreneur

Ewan Aitken FRSA is CEO of Cyrenians, a charity tackling the causes and consequences of homelessness. As former Convener of Education and Leader of Edinburgh City Council, plus CoSLA spokesperson on Education, Ewan has over 30 years’ experience in the Public and third sectors. He founded the National Pr*son Visitor Centre Steering group, The Ripple, and two Credit Unions. Ewan chairs SHAPE, the Edinburgh collaborative of homelessness organisations. He is a Council member of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, and a Board member of The Ripple. He is a member of the Scottish Government’s Rapid Rehousing Transition Plans Delivery Group, and the Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transition Delivery Board.

Charles Fowler is a former lawyer, and co-chair of an international asset management business. He is chair of the Human Values Foundation, which uses positive values to promote young people’s social and emotional development. He also helps run the UK Values Alliance, and is a steering committee member of the Global Alliance for Values-based Education. He is a project partner at the Collaborating Centre for Values-based Practice for Health and Social Care at Oxford University. He is also a delegate and contributor to the Values20 Group, which engages G20 leaders in values-based policy-making. He is Global Coordinator of World Values Day.

Catherine Holden is a consultant, facilitator, trainer, speaker and coach. She advises on organisational strategy, change and governance, fundraising, brands, and marketing. Her clients range across the arts, heritage, creative industries, education and wellbeing sectors. Catherine has held leadership roles for over 25 years across museums, galleries and theatre in London and Edinburgh. Her board chair and trustee roles span several major cultural organisations, including Clore Leadership, the National Theatre of Scotland, and Art UK.

Katie Kelly chairs New Local, an independent think tank and network of public sector bodies, with a mission to transform public services and unlock community power. She is an affiliate at Nurture Development, a Solace Associate, Executive Coach, Mentor and Strategic Advisor. She is the former Deputy Chief Executive with East Ayrshire Council, where she led the Vibrant Communities approach. She has recently retired following a career of over 30 years in the public, health and communities’ sectors. Across the UK, Katie is an outspoken champion for Community Power, Servant Leadership, Community Wealth Building and Public Service Transformation. She is a regular contributor and panel member at national conferences. Katie has been a member of several Expert Advisory Groups, such as Health Inequalities, Violence Against Women and Girls, People and Place and Gambling Harm. She is currently a member of the Local News Commission.

Lesley Martin FRSA is an independent strategy and research professional, working as a consultant, advisor and volunteer. She has held senior posts in local government, managing strategies for land use planning, economic development and sustainability. She has also led research programmes and audit and performance reviews. Lesley volunteers in several capacities, contributing to the RSA’s work on inclusive growth.

Esther Roberton was the Coordinator of the Scottish Constitutional Convention. She was a member of the Consultative Steering Group, whose report formed the basis of the standing orders and procedures of the Scottish Parliament. Since 1999, she has had a career in the public and third sectors, working in education, health, economic development and justice. She is a member of the Parliament’s Scottish Futures Forum.

Professor Graeme Roy FRSE is an Assistant Vice Principal, and Deputy Head of the College of Social Sciences, at the University of Glasgow. He is a former Senior Civil Servant in the Scottish Government, where he was head of the First Minister’s Policy Unit. He is a previous Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, and Head of Economics at the University of Strathclyde. He is Chair of the Scottish Fiscal Commission, Scotland’s independent economic and fiscal forecasting body.

Jen Wallace FRSA is an experienced third sector advocate and manager. She is currently Senior Strategic Improvement Coach at the University of Stirling. She is a well-known figure in the wellbeing movement. She is currently completing her PhD on wellbeing governance, exploring how governments around the world are trying to bring aspirations for equality and sustainability to life through better planning, policy and procurement. She also works with Stirling University and Scottish Care on improving adult social care. She previously worked as Director of Policy and Evidence at Carnegie UK.

Tom Ward FRSA is a part time business director. He is a postgraduate tutor at Edinburgh University Business School, a philanthropist, and a musician. He is currently the chairman of Admiral Taverns Ltd, one of the UK’s largest pubs companies. He is also a member of the Equity Gap angel investor syndicate. He has a keen interest in public affairs and social issues.

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Please be aware that registrations will close two hours before the event is due to start.

Event Venue

French Institute of Scotland, West Parliament Square, Edinburgh, United Kingdom