Conference 2026 - Economic Growth: Empowering Rural Scotland
Member Rates
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Member standard £115 + VAT
Non Member standard £225 + VAT
Economic Growth: Empowering Rural Scotland
Date: Wednesday, 20 May, 2026
Time: 09:00-18:00
Venue: Assembly Rooms, George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2LR
This year's conference - Economic Growth: Empowering Rural Scotland - will be held on Wednesday 20 May 2026 at the Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh and will be hosted by SLE’s Director of Policy Stephen Young.
As rural Scotland becomes increasingly central to Scotland’s future economic success, we focus our attention on growth sectors such as energy, food and drink, tourism and natural capital, the foundations of a vast proportion of Scotland’s economy. And with the economy increasingly reliant on rural Scotland to deliver net zero, food security, exports and energy resilience, now is the time to identify opportunities and work to ensure a sustainable future for our businesses.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Dr Savvas Savouri, Managing Director of QuantMetriks Research Having worked in commercial finance since 1991 across investment banking and asset management, he has also lectured at the London School of Economics and University of Oxford on a range of topics. In 2005 Savvas and his team formed the first incarnation of QuantMetriks Research Ltd. Dr Savouri will be speaking on macro-economic opportunities for rural businesses.
Rachel Ross, Elevator UK Rachel Ross is the CEO of Elevator UK, a support group for entrepreneurs and startups in Scotland that partners with enterprise agencies, local government, universities, and the corporate sector to deliver programmes designed to accelerate growth. With a background as an Officer in the British Army, the founder of an SME, a business consultant and an angel investor, Rachel will provide a huge amount of insight for delegates, focusing on what it takes to get a business off the ground in rural Scotland in 2026.
Emily Norton, Chair, Agriculture and Horticultural Development Board As Chair of the UK’s Agriculture and Horticultural Development Board and with 25 years of experience in the food and farming sector, Emily has particular expertise in natural capital influences on land, food and farming. Hailing from Norfolk, Emily's career has taken her from family business to global PLC, founding Farm Foresight Ltd, a strategic advisory service for the rural sector. Emily is also a well-known media commentator.
Join us at this year’s conference as we spotlight what needs to happen and what you can do to support this rural renaissance.
The full agenda is available here.
Breakfast Reception
Highland Carbon is kindly sponsoring our Breakfast Reception this year. Come along early for breakfast roll and refreshments and to allow plenty of time for networking before the conference begins.
Exhibitors
We have a fantastic line up of exhibitors confirmed, full details of which will be published here shortly.
Drinks Reception
We are delighted that MAKAR Ltd is once again sponsoring the end of conference Drinks Reception this year, the perfect opportunity to network and catch up on the day's discussions.
The SLE annual conference aims to provide a huge amount of advice and guidance. Don't miss your chance to be involved and to ask the questions of the experts and challenge their views.
Feedback from last year's Conference
"Really inspirational and focussed. Excellent quality speakers."
"First class conference."
"Once again huge appreciation to SLE for a well organised very insightful day."
We look forward to seeing you on the 20 May 2026 at the Assembly Rooms!