RBS’s Senior Economist & Climate Lead, Katerina Lisenkova kicked off the year with her insights into the economic prospects for 2023. Orsted’s VP Offshore Benj Sykes, Shell’s European lead for CCUS, Al Tucker, SNIB’s Chair, Willie Watt and CEO Al Denholm, Prospect Trade Union Scotland Secretary, Richard Hardy, Resolution Foundation’s Chief Executive Torsten Bell and University of Glasgow Principal, Economist Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli joined Influencers Dinners.

Global Energy Group’s founder, Roy MacGregor shared his life lessons with Highland members and we partnered with Inverness and Cromarty Green Freeport to showcase the size of the prize for Scotland if we get the offshore floating wind opportunity right.

We explored growth with Fraser of Allander Institute’s Professor Mairi Spowage, BBC Business and Economy Editor, Douglas Fraser and the Chancellor’s Productivity Advisor Dr Anna Valero (London School of Economics) in our Journey to Prosperity series.

We held exclusive member roundtables with…

Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative Economy, Business, Finance & Local Government spokespeople, MSPs Willie Rennie Daniel Johnson and Liz Smith.

SNP Westminster, Leader Stephen Flynn MP.

Scottish Labour Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Just Transition, Sarah Boyack MSP.

Not one but two Parliamentary Under Secretaries of State, Andrew Bowie MP for Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Scotland Office’s John Lamont MP.…and finally Conservative Leader, Douglas Ross MSP spoke to members about education reform.

• A 400-strong audience was inspired by Wood CEO, Ken Gilmartin’s address at our Aberdeen Lecture.
• Scotland’s 53rd National Economic Forum boasted an inspiring line-up including Bennett Institute of Public Policy Economist, Dr Matthew Agarwala, Chief Business Advisor to the Scottish Government Ellis Watson, Ayesha Hazaraka MBE and Innovate UK’s CEO Indro Mukerjee as well as the First Minister, Cabinet Secretary for the Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, Neil Gray and Jonathan Reynolds the Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Industrial Strategy.
• Businesses across the Highlands & Islands were recognised for their contribution to a prosperous Scotland at our Highlands & Islands Business Excellence Awards in Inverness.
• Members raised nearly £10,000 for charity at our three flagship events.

We built on the Business Purpose Commission roadmap by securing a commitment in the Scottish Government’s New Deal for Business to take forward priority actions. More.

The value of maintaining strong relationships with European institutions and member states now Scotland is a third country hit home for the 20-strong delegation who joined our cross-sector mission to Brussels.

Our Natural Capital report was produced in response to a growing awareness that the current corporate-led model for offsetting carbon emissions by buying carbon credits will not by itself deliver a Just Transition for Scotland’s rural communities. The report makes the case for a SCDI-led investment vehicle to bridge the funding gap for natural capital by attracting higher private investment.

Our Scottish Budget submission called for greater urgency about improving Scotland’s long-term economic performance.

Our Rural Commission update confirmed development, housing and transport as priorities if we are to harness the economic and social potential of rural parts of Scotland. The Update was informed by events in Stornoway, Inverary and Fort William designed to unlock growth in Scotland’s rural communities.

5,857 school pupils from across Scotland engaged in YESC’s award-winning school outreach programme.

Our team delivered 17 CPD sessions to teachers from the Scottish Borders to Shetland.

The support of our partners at Shell has expanded delivery of our Carbon Capture and Storage project project to over 40 classes at schools in the North East and Fife.

View our impact video.