11th. HOLYROOD SUMMER SCHOOL
17-21 August 2009
University of Stirling Management Centre

The 11th. HOLYROOD SUMMER SCHOOL took place in August 2009 at the University of Stirling Management Centre and considered the key emerging issues in Scotland.

The School provides a unique and essential experience for aspiring senior managers and executives to gain a greater understanding of what is happening in Scotland from the people making it happen.

Jim Rennie, Director of Eglinton, who organised the annual development event said  “Eglinton has developed the reputation of the School as a unique and valuable development programme for leaders and senior managers. In 2009 we were once again able to secure contributions from 14 leading individuals including chief executives, cabinet ministers and commentators, each of whom are either actively involved in government, delivering services and leading vital organizations or influencing policy.”

Participants attending the School had the opportunity to discuss, engage and reflect with each contributor. In 2009 the Holyrood Summer School welcomed the first ever attendance of John Swinney the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth. We also welcomed the first appearance to the School of four Chief Executives; Jack Perry of Scottish Enterprise, George Black of Glasgow City Council, Robert Calderwood of Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS and John Scott, Chief Executive of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. The School also welcomed Gordon Meldrum, Director General of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency on his return as a contributor to the School following his earlier participation a few years ago.

The Holyrood Summer School was pleased to have Elish Angiolini, The Lord Advocate return following her session last year. Other return visits included Brian Sweeney, Chief Fire Officer of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, Bill Reeve, Director of Rail Delivery of Transport Scotland and Duncan McLaren, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland.
The Holyrood Summer School has developed and grown since the first event in 1999. As well as attracting new speakers, we are proud of the loyalty demonstrated by our “regular or core” contributors, each of whom have impressed, stimulated, challenged and informed the School from their unique perspective over many years. We are therefore grateful for the continued support provided to the Holyrood Summer School by Robert Black, The Auditor General, Stephen Boyle and David Fenton of RBS Economics Group, and the highly respected journalist and commentator, Alf Young of The Herald.”

The Programme themes for 2009 were;

• Scotland in the Global Economy
• Scotland's Governance & Accountability
• Modernising Public Services
• Leadership & Change
• Public Finance & Performance
• Criminal Justice
• Enterprise
• Environment
• Fire and Rescue
• Health
• Local Government
• Regeneration
• Transport

The Holyrood Summer School provides a unique and essential experience for leaders, aspiring senior managers and executives to gain a greater understanding of what is happening in Scotland from many of the people making it happen.