Isla Jackson, Scotland director at Civic, was among the speakers
An interactive session exploring what tools the country has to drive growth from fiscal impetus to policy levers lifted the lid on Scotland’s investibility.
Panellists
- Isla Jackson, director at Civic
- Gunnar Groves-Raines, partner at Gras Architects
- Richard Rollison, director of international trade and investment at Scottish government
Moderated by Jonathan Guthrie, chair of the Scottish Property Federation
Scottish government, the cities, and the private sector are largely aligned in their pursuit of growth and the mission to attract inward investment, attendees heard at the panel discussion.
Evidence of this can be found in the government’s recent decision to exempt BTR and mid-market residential from rent controls, a move that aims to unlock housing sites across the country.
“We are trying to make investors feel confident and that when you invest in Scotland you have got long-term certainty,” said Richard Rollison, director of international trade and investment at Scottish government.
Scotland’s talent pool, driven by its universities, innovation ecosystem, the ease of access to decision-makers, and good quality of life make for solid foundations for investment, panellists said.
“What Scotland has to offer is amazing at the moment,” said Isla Jackson, director at Civic. “The opportunities available to investors are huge. “Come to Scotland and have a look for yourselves.”
For Gunnar Groves-Raines, partner at Gras Architects, Scotland’s landscapes and overall size are key tenets of the investment proposition.
“People love Scotland. It is easy to get hold of people [and] you are never more than a couple of hours from the mountains and the coast,” he said.