Public Knowledge

Why do startups leave Scotland, and what would make them stay?In Part 2 of this conversation, Sepi Golzari-Munro and formerSkyscanner COO Mark Logan unpack the hidden infrastructure that determines whether startups in Scotland scale… or disappear. From robotics manufacturing to immigration policy, this is a candid look at what it will actually take for Scotland to compete globally.Timecodes:00:00 Investor Mindset & What Makes an Attractive Ecosystem02:01 Pathways to Scale in Deep Tech07:48 Talent Development and Ecosystem Growth14:36 Why Mark Left Scot Gov Role19:11 Future Plans & Mark's New Book ---Professor Mark Logan OBE, FRSE is former COO of Skyscanner - one of Europe's most successful technology companies, and former Chief Entrepreneurial Adviser to the Scottish Government.He is the author of the catalytic Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review and is a leading exponent of modern Scottish Entrepreneurship. He is Professor of Computing Science at the University of Glasgow, a Senior Enterprise Fellow at the University of Strathclyde, an entrepreneur-in-residence at The RoyalConservatoire of Scotland and a Visiting Professor at the Glasgow School of Art.  ---Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/public_knowledge_podTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@public_knowledge_pod?_t=8sIhMOiLosj&_r=1Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/public-knowledge-pod/about

“We lost our pride. But we can rebuild it.”Mark Logan grew up in Clydebank — once the Silicon Valley of shipbuilding. Today, he believes Scotland may be on the brink of a new virtuous cycle of entrepreneurship and innovation.In Part 1 of this wide-ranging conversation, Sepi Golzari-Munro and Mark Logan explore the Scottish tech ecosystem, Scotland's creative sector, culture, startups, belief and mindset — and why Scotland’s success may be hiding in plain sight.-------Timecodes00:00 Mark Logan - Skyscanner & Scotland03:52 Do we Scots know ourselves?07:02 The Rise of the Scottish Tech Ecosystem12:35 Changes in Scottish Tech Ecosystem since 202016:43 Belief & Harnessing Human Energy in Start-ups20:30 Scotland's Creative Sector/Economy------Professor Mark Logan OBE, FRSE is former COO of Skyscanner - one of Europe's most successful technology companies, and former Chief Entrepreneurial Adviser to the Scottish Government. He is the author if the catalytic Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review and is a leading exponent of modern Scottish Entrepreneurship. He is Professor of Computing Science at the University of Glasgow, a Senior Enterprise Fellow at the University of Strathclyde, an entrepreneur-in-residence at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and a Visiting Professor at the Glasgow School of Art.-----Instagram:   / public_knowledge_pod  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@public_knowle...Linkedin:   / about  

#Scotland #MalcolmRobertson #business #politics #innovation #culture #energytransition #narrative #entrepreneurship #publiclife #economy #courage #patience #perseverance #investment #educateyourselfIn this episode, I'm talking with Malcolm Robertson - someone who is immersed in the Scottish business, media and political scene but who doesn't often appear in the public eye himself.Malcolm is one of my all time favourite people that I've met since embarking on this journey, because he not only provides a unique perspective on Scotland's economy and politics... He's also willing to go places that others find uncomfortable... to talk about the culture, spirit and mindset at the heart of our public life, and how we can transform it. Anyone who knows me, knows how pre-occupied I am with this - so you'll understand why I love talking with him so much!So expect less facts and figures in this episode but more of an inquiry into the pioneering spirit and culture of Scotland's past, where that spirit is bubbling up in the present and how we can unlock it for the bright future that is within our grasp. Enjoy!-------Timecodes:00:00 Intro03:08 From Tenacity to Timidity...& Back Again05:50 Scottish Innovation & Interplay with Politics09:09 Risk, Failure, and the Need for Courage15:07 The New Brand Scotland... With the Old Perseverance19:35 Patience & Lifting Our Sights24:11 Short-Termism Affecting Third Sector28:46 Over-reliance on Government & Taking Radical Responsibility33:34 The Diminishing Scottish Business Media37:06 Creating a Supportive Business Environment42:29 Who Can We Learn From? English Mayors & Scottish Islanders46:36 Transformational Opportunities for Scotland50:02 Personal Psyche; Impact on National Psyche59:14 Public Knowledge & Changing the Story------Malcolm Robertson is Founding Partner at Charlotte Street Partners - Scotland’s leading communications and public affairs agency. He also chair the board of trustees of Street Soccer Scotland and the Scotland advisory board of Unicef UK. You can find out more about Malcolm here: https://www.charlottestreetpartners.com/people/malcolm-robertson-charlotte-street-partners/-----Instagram:    / public_knowledge_pod  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@public_knowle...Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/publicknowle...Linkedin: public_knowledge_pod

#money #scotland #economy #jobs #energytransition #globaltrends #growth #educateyourself #educate #business #investment _____The most important Scotland-England rivalry you’ve probably NEVER heard of… is the one that matters most for the health of the Scottish Finances!Join me in Part 2 of this interview with Professor Graeme Roy - where we unpack:* The largely unknown financial formula that puts us in direct competition with England;* How Scottish stereotypes could be holding our economy back; and* The need to move beyond a Westminster focus and scrutinise Scottish Government decision making...If you’re curious about getting under the skin of the real, and really very important story, of Scotland’s changing economic fortunes and how they will impact us all, then this episode is for you!_____Chapters00:00 Introduction01:22 Shades of Economic Growth04:30 Link: Economic Growth & Public Services06:17 Where Scotland-England Rivalry GETS REAL09:47 Tax Revenue Growth: Impact on Scottish Budget11:07 The Importance of High-Quality Jobs14:52 Scotland's Dynamic & Evolving Economy19:48 Stories Matter: Mythbusting is Critical to Scotland's Future Economy21:20 Improving What Scotland DOES Control25:35 Where is the Vibrancy, the New Ideas, the Challenge?_____Graeme Roy is Chair of the Scottish Fiscal Commission, Scotland’s official independent economic and fiscal forecaster, and Professor of Economics, Deputy Head of the College of Social Sciences and Assistant Vice Principal at the University of Glasgow.He was previously Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde and a former Senior Civil Servant in the Scottish Government, where he was Head of the First Minister’s Policy Unit.His research focus is on economic policy and devolution. He is a regular commentator on the Scottish economy, including a column for The Herald newspaper.He is a past independent adviser to the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee, and a former member of the UK Government’s Scottish Business Taskforce and the Scottish Government’s National Economic Transformation Council.Outside of university, Graeme is a board member of Stirling Community Enterprise a social enterprise based in the Raploch area that supports community-based training and employment.In 2023, Graeme was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE). In 2024, he was awarded the Adam Smith Prize by the RSE for his “substantial contribution to public policy and public life in Scotland”.You can find out more about Graeme’s work here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/business/staff/graemeroy/#biography_____Instagram:    / public_knowledge_pod  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@public_knowle...Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/publicknowle...

#money#scotland#economy #manufacturing #energytransition #globaltrends#growth#educateyourself#educate#business#investment _____Think Scotland’s economy is all about salmon, whisky and energy? Then think again! In part 1 of this interview with Professor Graeme Roy - we start demystifying the Scottish economy:Locating it in the wider global and UK context;Revealing a forgotten story of our economic fall and rise; andAsking what grand challenges and grand opportunities lie ahead of us.If you’re curious about getting under the skin of the real, and really very exciting story, of Scotland’s changing economic fortunes and how they will impact us all, then this episode is for you!_____Chapters00:00 Intro01:28 Scotland's Economy in a Global Context04:57 Scottish Manufacturing - Past & Future08:17 Scotland's Position within the UK Economy10:32 Grand Challenges Facing Scottish Economy13:51 Key Sectors of Economy - Present & Future16:37 Playing Catch Up? Scotland's Public Discourse19:19 Scotland's Economy - Falling Through the Cracks?_____Graeme Roy is Chair of the Scottish Fiscal Commission, Scotland’s official independent economic and fiscal forecaster, and Professor of Economics, Deputy Head of the College of Social Sciences and Assistant Vice Principal at the University of Glasgow.He was previously Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde and a former Senior Civil Servant in the Scottish Government, where he was Head of the First Minister’s Policy Unit.His research focus is on economic policy and devolution. He is a regular commentator on the Scottish economy, including a column for The Herald newspaper.He is a past independent adviser to the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee, and a former member of the UK Government’s Scottish Business Taskforce and the Scottish Government’s National Economic Transformation Council.Outside of university, Graeme is a board member of Stirling Community Enterprise a social enterprise based in the Raploch area that supports community-based training and employment.In 2023, Graeme was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE). In 2024, he was awarded the Adam Smith Prize by the RSE for his “substantial contribution to public policy and public life in Scotland”.You can find out more about Graeme’s work here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/business/staff/graemeroy/#biography_____Instagram:    / public_knowledge_pod  TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@public_knowle...Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/publicknowle...Linkedin:    / about  

#northsea #oilandgas #money #scotland #economy #growth  #public #finance #barnett #fiscal #tax #revenue #spending #educateyourself #educate #business #investment  _____ Where does Scotland’s money come from, and why should you care? Part 2! In this episode of Public Knowledge, Professor Mairi Spowage gives us the answers! Speaking with Sepi Golzari-Munro in part 2 of her interview, she reveals: - The (known) truth about the North Sea oil and gas money (and what we might never know); - Why many of the services, networks and systems - essentially most of our national infrastructure - feels like it's creaking; and  - How the Scottish budgeting process - that determines how much money we have to invest in our nation - actually works.  If you’re curious about how taxes, government funding, and policies shape your everyday life, this episode is for you! _____ Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:26 North Sea Money - Where did it go? 04:50 More devolution; more dependence? 07:16 Who is accountable? 10:11 What About the Trade-Offs 12:38 Scottish Govt BUDGET - Process & Challenges 15:30 Borrowing Powers & Our Crumbling Infrastructure 17:35 Capital Spending & Long-Term Investment 21:05 Key Interventions for a Prosperous Future 22:55 What Should Be Public Knowledge? 23:54 Outro _____ Mairi Spowage is a Professor of Practice and Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute. Her areas of expertise include economic policy, economic statistics, national accounting, public sector finances, and economic and fiscal forecasting. She is regularly asked to give evidence on economic and fiscal matters at Parliamentary Committees, such as the Finance and Constitution Committee and the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee.  Previously, Mairi was the Deputy Chief Executive of the Scottish Fiscal Commission and the Head of National Accounts at the Scottish Government, and has over 15 years of experience working in different areas of statistics and analysis, including transport, household surveys and performance measurement. More information about Mairi and her work can be found at: https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/persons/mairi-spowage _____ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/public_knowledge_pod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@public_knowledge_pod?_t=8sIhMOiLosj&_r=1 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/publicknowledgepod.bsky.social Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/public-knowledge-pod/about

#money #scotland #economy #growth  #public #finance #barnett #fiscal  #tax #revenue #spending #educateyourself #educate #business #investment  _____ Where does Scotland’s money come from, and why should you care? Part 1! In this episode of Public Knowledge, Professor Mairi Spowage gives us the answers! Speaking with Sepi Golzari-Munro in part 1 of a two part interview, she reveals the truth about the money that flows into the Scottish Government's coffers, the famous Barnett Formula and the link between economic growth and public services. They explore the impact of tax on individual behaviour as well as business investment and where Scotland might need more money per person, than the rest of the UK. If you’re curious about how taxes, government funding, and policies shape your everyday life, this episode is for you! _____ Timecodes 00:00 Introduction 02:30 Why care about Public Finances?  05:30 Public Finances Health Check 07:20 Sources of Scotland's Public Finances 09:58 Income Tax in Scotland 11:12 Penny Wise; Pound Foolish? 14:19 Tax: Impact on Investment & Growth? 16:03 Mythbusting - No Growth/De-Growth 17:48 Direct Link: Growth & Public Services 19:08 'FISCAL' : WTF does it mean?! 20:19 Barnett Formula: History & Operation _____ Mairi Spowage is a Professor of Practice and Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute. Her areas of expertise include economic policy, economic statistics, national accounting, public sector finances, and economic and fiscal forecasting. She is regularly asked to give evidence on economic and fiscal matters at Parliamentary Committees, such as the Finance and Constitution Committee and the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee.  Previously, Mairi was the Deputy Chief Executive of the Scottish Fiscal Commission and the Head of National Accounts at the Scottish Government, and has over 15 years of experience working in different areas of statistics and analysis, including transport, household surveys and performance measurement. More information about Mairi and her work can be found at: https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/persons/mairi-spowage _____ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/public_knowledge_pod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@public_knowledge_pod?_t=8sIhMOiLosj&_r=1 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/publicknowledgepod.bsky.social Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/public-knowledge-pod/about

#Scotland, #ScottishParliament #Holyrood, #Westminster, #Brexit, #Devolution, #Government, #Economy, #Labour MPs, SNP #history #politics Professor Nicola McEwen unpacks the complexities of Scottish devolution, exploring its historical context, the evolution of powers within the Scottish Parliament, and the intricate and evolving intergovernmental relations between the Scottish Government in Holyrood and the UK Government in Westminster. In this conversation with Sepi Golzari-Munro, they discuss the significance of the Scottish Parliament's establishment in 1999, the evolution of the Parliament’s powers, the transformational impact of Brexit on the relationship between the Scottish and UK Parliaments, the need for more transparency in the way the Scottish and UK Government’s interact and make decisions and what the future of this relationship may hold. _____ 00:00 Intro 02:13 Historical Forces - Establishing Scottish Parliament 05:15 Home Rule Movement & Political Dynamics 10:42 Evolution of Devolution - How Scotland's Powers Have Changed 15:31 New Powers: Political Fudge or Necessarily Complex? 18:49 No Complexity, No Devolution 22:20 MORE Politicians?! 25:27 Weakest Link - Government Relations 28:52 With & Without EU - Brexit Impact on UK Home Affairs 31:02 A Necessary Evil? Scottish Powers Curtailed 38:43 Commitment to Devolution Questioned 41:52 Fixing Future Holyrood-Westminster Relationship 44:57 What Should be Public Knowledge? 46:06 Conclusion _____ Professor Nicola McEwen is a Professor of Public Policy and Governance in the College of Social Sciences and Director of the Centre for Public Policy at the University of Glasgow. She was previously at Edinburgh University from 2001, first as Lecturer, then Senior Lecturer in 2006, and as Professor of Territorial Politics from 2014. She was founding Co-Director of the Centre on Constitutional Change, where she remains a Research Fellow.  Nicola completed a Senior Research Fellowship with the ESRC UK in a Changing Europe, having previously been Principal Investigator of one of its prestigious Brexit Priority Grants. Her project, entitled A Family of Nations? Brexit, Devolution and the Union, explored intergovernmental relations in UK-EU negotiations, and the implications of Brexit for devolution and the future of the Union.  From 2019-2022, Nicola was Research Fellow in a major ESRC-funded project, Between Two Unions: The Constitutional Future of the Islands after Brexit, where she led the research strand charting the evolution of intergovernmental relations.  She has published widely in the field of territorial politics, nationalism, multi-level government and policy-making, and multi-level parties and elections. She is actively involved in informing debate within the wider policy and political community, through with extensive experience in providing analysis in broadcast, print and social media, public engagement, advice to governments and parliamentary committees, and consultancy. _____ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPItG7O45Xu5FXQX2zkKo0Q Instagram:   / public_knowledge_pod   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@public_knowle... Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/publicknowle... Linkedin:   / about   ______ Listen to all episodes: Youtube, Spotify and Apple ____ Video graphics by Nicholas Munro https://www.nicholasmunrovisual.com/

#Scotland, #NicolaSturgeon, Chief of Staff, #Holyrood, #Westminster, #Brexit, #Devolution, #Government, #Economy, #Labour MPs, SNP Nicola Sturgeon’s former Chief of Staff, Liz Lloyd, reveals the power dynamics between the Scottish and UK Governments and their impact on how we live our lives in Scotland. Speaking with Sepi Golzari-Munro, she reveals what Nicola Sturgeon was really like, the impact of Brexit on the relationship between the UK and Scottish governments, whether the Scottish Parliament's powers have been rolled back and the role of SNP MPs and Scottish Labour MPs in Westminster. She goes on to highlight the economic challenges Scotland faces and the potential for future collaboration between the governments. 00:00 Introduction 01:44 What is a Chief of Staff? 02:46 Working for Nicola Sturgeon 05:17 Best of Times - Worst of Times 06:26 Historical Context - Who Runs Scotland? 07:40 A Tale of Two Governments 10:05 Brexit and the Breakdown of Cooperation 13:24 Rolling Back Devolution? The Internal Market Act 18:23 Escalating Tensions: Muscular Unionism or Devolution Overreach 26:06 Proper Role for Westminster in Devolution 28:01 Scotland and Devolution - Always an Afterthought? 32:10 Getting Messy and Stifling the Scottish Economy? 39:17 The Role of Scottish MPs in Westminster 41:08 How Should Scottish Labour MPs Advocate for Scotland? 46:37 Crown Estate Scotland and Scottish Ministers' Raid 49:05 The Council of Nations and Regions 50:53 Conclusion 51:13 Outro 51:49 End Plate Liz Lloyd was Strategic Adviser and Chief of Staff to the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon. She helped design and deliver the Scottish Government’s legislative agenda for more than a decade covering all areas of policy, with a particular focus on the transition to net zero, the development of new economic opportunities and international relations. Liz played a central role in the Scottish Government’s approach to policy and communications through the COVID pandemic, supported the development of new institutions including tax and social security systems and the Scottish National Investment Bank, and advised the First Minister through the independence and Brexit referenda and on inter-governmental negotiations. She is now a Specialist Partner at policy consultancy, Flint Global. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/public_knowledge_pod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@public_knowledge_pod?_t=8sIhMOiLosj&_r=1 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/publicknowledgepod.bsky.social Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/public-knowledge-pod/about Listen to all episodes on Youtube, Spotify and Apple