We are looking forward to welcoming the following speakers to present at conference.
Rona Dougall
Broadcaster & Conference host
Broadcaster, freelance journalist & a popular TV presenter best known as the host of STV’s flagship current affairs programme ‘Scotland Tonight‘. The 30 minute programme takes an in-depth look at the big news stories of the day-sport, politics, business, art & entertainment.
Before becoming a Scottish Television anchor, Rona was Sky News Scotland correspondent for over 15 years. During that time she covered many headline stories, including the Dunblane massacre, the trial of the Lockerbie bomber at Camp Zeist in the Netherlands & and the death of Princess Diana from Balmoral. Rona also covered the opening of the Scottish parliament & several Scottish elections.
Tom Arthur MSP
Minister for Business
& Fair Work
Born in Paisley in 1985, Mr Arthur was first elected to the Scottish Parliament for the seat of Renfrewshire South at the 2016 election, holding the seat in 2021. He joined the Scottish Government as Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth in May 2021.
Mr Arthur was raised in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, where he was educated at Cross Arthurlie Primary and Barrhead High School. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music then later Master of Music from the University of Glasgow. Before entering politics, he worked as a company director, freelance piano teacher and keyboardist. He was appointed as for Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance in March 2023, and Minister for Employment and Investment in May 2024. In June 2025, he was appointed as Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing
Cllr David Ross
Leader of Fife Council
Cllr David Ross represents the Kirkcaldy North Ward at Fife Council and is the current Leader of the Council.
David worked at a senior level in local government with responsibilities for
regeneration, decentralisation and community development before being elected to Fife Council in 2007. David served as spokesperson for housing and communities and since 2014 has been Leader or Co-Leader of the Council. He has served as chair of both the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region and the Tay Cities Joint Boards.
David is also currently Leader of the Labour Group on the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.
Sara Lopes Franco
Project Manager, Caldas da Rainha Commercial District
Sara Lopes Franco is Project Manager for the European Capital of Small Retail 2026 and the Caldas da Rainha Commercial District at the Municipality of Caldas da Rainha. She works at the intersection of local retail, public policy and urban development, coordinating initiatives focused on digital transformation, business engagement, city-centre vitality and collaboration between the Municipality, retailers, business associations and other local and European partners.
Her work uses local retail as a driver for economic development, stronger communities and more vibrant urban centres. She has a background in Advertising and Marketing, Management, and Communication and Media, with extensive experience in commercial and marketing management.
Carol Connolly
Director of Place, Fife Council
Carol Connolly is Executive Director of Place at Fife Council, leading services spanning business, planning, sustainability, transport, property, environment, facilities and protective services. Since joining in December 2023, she has championed an integrated, place-based approach, connecting investment, planning, environmental quality, business support and local insight to strengthen Fife’s towns and communities.
With over 30 years’ local government experience, Carol has held senior roles across community, family and development services. Her career includes leading Glasgow’s Operations Centre, major infrastructure investment following Scotland’s first City Deal, and, most recently, development and sustainability at Glasgow City Council, encompassing planning, infrastructure and transport strategy.
Lauren Brook
Chief Executive, Greener Kirkcaldy
Lauren Brook is Chief Executive of Greener Kirkcaldy, a community-led charity and development trust working to create a greener and fairer Kirkcaldy. She first became involved as a volunteer in 2013, moving into a staff role in 2015 and becoming Chief Executive in 2023.
Lauren has over a decade’s experience in community-led climate action and development and is passionate about collaboration and making places better for everyone. She is involved in creative town development through Lang Toun Partners, a network bringing local organisations together to make positive change in Kirkcaldy. Lauren is also a Trustee of Development Trusts Association Scotland.
Bob Keiller
Co-founder, Our Union Street
Bob Keiller CBE is an entrepreneur with a passion for inspiring others. He chairs Our Union Street and leads the effort to re-energise the city centre.
He chaired ASCO Group, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Scottish Enterprise, Entrepreneurial Scotland, The Offshore Contractors Association and Offshore Energy UK. He was CEO of PSN, Wood Group PSN and Wood Group. He was Scottish Entrepreneur of the year, UK Entrepreneur of the year and member of Entrepreneurial Scotland’s Hall of Fame.
For the last 10 years he has worked unpaid, helping charities, social enterprises and early-stage entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.
David McKeith
Operations Director, Our Union Street
David McKeith is a familiar face and voice across the North-east, with more than 30 years’ experience in Scottish broadcast journalism. Perth-born and raised in Fife, the former STV North Editor has built a lasting connection with Aberdeen and its people.
In his role as Operations Director at Our Union Street, David works with a dedicated team focused on helping revitalise Aberdeen city centre. He brings extensive experience of working with people across business, industry, politics, public life and communities. He is passionate about supporting independent businesses, restoring civic pride and encouraging people to rediscover his city.
David Paton
Chair, ProMo
I’m an award-winning designer, business leader and passionate advocate for community regeneration. Professionally, I’m a Director of employee-owned Crawford Architecture.
Alongside my career, I have dedicated considerable time over the last 20 years to voluntary projects. I founded and Chair Montrose Playhouse Project, Chair ProMo, and previously helped run Montrose Music Festival for ten years. More recently, I established Thrive through Crawford Architecture to support community-led projects across Scotland.
I’m passionate about bringing people together, challenging what’s possible and turning ambitious ideas into reality, creating opportunities and delivering lasting, positive change for our communities.
John Lancaster
Architect & Associate, Smith Scott Mullan
Established in 1995, Smith Scott Mullan is a multi award-winning Edinburgh-based architectural practice. As architects, we believe that great design enhances lives, and we design with people in mind – creating places for people to thrive now and into the future.
John is an experienced Architect with almost 20 years experience in designing affordable housing across Scotland. He enjoys collaborating with communities to craft sustainable buildings and captivating environments where people want to live and work.
Neil McInroy
Chair, EDAS
Lauren Bennett
Community Wealth Manager, Fife Council
Lauren leads on embedding community wealth building approaches across policy, partnerships and service delivery in Fife. With a background in various policy areas including tackling poverty and inequalities, she works across organisational boundaries to connect economic, social and place-based priorities, helping to create a fairer and more inclusive local economy.
Lauren also supports the development of the Plan for Fife, bringing together different policy agendas and partners around shared ambitions for inclusive growth, reduced inequality and stronger communities.
David Cowan
Head of Regeneration, Architecture & Place Unit, Scottish Government
David has been Head of the Scottish Government Regeneration Unit since October 2011. Since then he has overseen implementation of the Regeneration Strategy, including the launch and delivery of the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, the Empowering Communities Programme, the Strengthening Communities Programme, the Town Centre Action Plan and the development of the Place Principle. Prior to joining the Scottish Government he worked with industries across North America to promote energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, and worked in the craft brewing industry in Ontario.
Kirsty Macari
Deputy Chair, Architecture and Design Scotland
Colin Miller
Founder & Host, Kirkcaldy Property Network
Colin Miller spent over 30 years working in local government across planning and housing before retiring from the public sector. He has been a property investor for over 20 years and is a director of several property companies. He is a trustee of Greener Kirkcaldy and Fife Historic Buildings Trust, and a member of the Lang Toun Partners Strategy Sub-group.
Colin founded Kirkcaldy Property Network, which brings together property owners, businesses, professionals and others with an interest in the future of Kirkcaldy. He has a particular interest in town centre regeneration and bringing vacant buildings back into productive use.
Ishabel Bremner
Chair, SLAED
Over 30 years’ experience and a depth of knowledge in the field of economic development.
While currently working in local government as the Economic Growth Manager, Argyll and Bute Council (broad remit including business, employability, skills, sectoral, economic Intelligence, funding and investment support) Ishabel has also worked in the private sector (circa 9 years) and for the enterprise agencies, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise.
For over six years she has been the chair of the Scottish Local Authorities’ Economic Development Executive Group and is a co-opted director of the Economic Development Association Scotland.”