Rona Dougall

Host

Rona Dougall is a broadcaster, freelance journalist and a popular TV presenter best known as the host of STV’s flagship current affairs programme ‘Scotland Tonight’. Before becoming a Scottish Television anchor, Rona was Sky News Scotland correspondent for over 15 years.

Beyond the newsroom, Rona is also a sought-after event host and conference facilitator, known for her professionalism, warmth, and ability to engage diverse audiences. She has chaired panels, moderated debates, and hosted high-profile events across sectors ranging from politics and education to business and the arts.

Her journalistic rigour and natural stage presence make her a trusted choice for organisations seeking a confident and credible voice.

Dr Jim McCormick

30 Years Strong: What Must Change for the Next 30 Years to Succeed?

Dr Jim McCormick is Chief Executive of The Robertson Trust, an independent grant-making charity which funds, supports and influences solutions to poverty and trauma across Scotland.

He is a member of the Living Wage Commission and co-Chair of Highland Poverty and Equality Commission (2025–26). Previously he was Associate Director Scotland with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (2017–20), ran an independent research consultancy and was Director of the Scottish Council Foundation think-tank.

He has been Chair of the Disability and Carers Benefits Advisory Group reporting to the Scottish Social Security Minister, Chair of the Edinburgh Poverty Commission and a member of the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC), which scrutinises the Department for Work and Pensions’ GB regulations.

In 2018 he was a travelling Churchill Fellow looking at the impact of mentoring programmes for children and young people facing disadvantage in the USA, Canada and New Zealand.

Jamie Cooke

Afternoon Keynote

Jamie is a senior leader, policy expert and communicator, with over 15 years’ experience in the voluntary sector and a passion for improving the world. As Executive Director of Inclusion International he works across the world to create more inclusive societies for everyone with an intellectual disability and their families.

Across his career he has delivered major projects in civic engagement, social and economic policy, and systems change. As a global leader in the basic income movement, he developed global networks for change; hosted major international conferences; and worked with policy leaders across the world. He was part of the group who created the Glasgow–Pittsburgh Sister City relationship and has a passion for post-industrial communities and the space for impact they offer the world. He works with governments, businesses, charities, academia, communities and civil society and loves the creative sparks which arise when different groups, voices and experiences are brought together.

Shumela Ahmed-Poole

Communities as Designers, Not Recipients

Shumela Ahmed-Poole is Co-Founder and Managing Director of Resilience Learning Partnership, a nationally recognised social enterprise dedicated to advancing trauma-informed practice and embedding lived experience at the heart of public service design and workforce development.

Shumela is a co-author of Scotland’s National Trauma Training Plan and advises the Scottish Government on the ongoing development of the National Trauma Transformation Programme. Through her leadership, Resilience Learning Partnership has supported hundreds of organisations across the public, private, and third sectors to embed trauma-informed approaches.

In recognition of her outstanding contribution to policy design around lived experience and trauma-informed practice, and her dedication to social inclusion and helping those from disadvantaged backgrounds, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Stirling in June 2026. She also champions the recognition and fair remuneration of lived experience expertise to improve services and outcomes for communities across Scotland.

Paul Brooks

AI in the Third Sector: Opportunity, Risk and Readiness

Paul Brooks runs both Software Training Scotland and Access Technology Scotland and has spent the last 15 years helping both organisations and people get the best out of technology.

Over the past year he’s added AI to his technical support service, building working AI systems inside charities within Inverclyde. Greenock born and bred, he works almost entirely with small third sector organisations, which means he knows the challenges faced, and how to deal with them.

Judith Hewitt

Engaging and Empowering Young People Sustainably

Judith Hewitt studied History at Nottingham University, then went on to study for a Masters in Local and Regional History and completed a PGCE in Secondary History Education.

After seven years as a history teacher in Lincoln (four of them as Head of a thriving History Department), she changed careers to become the Manager of the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle, Cornwall. After five successful years, Judith moved to Dumfries and Galloway to manage The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

In 2021, she took up her current post as Museums Curator for the East of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Arts and Museums Service (Dumfries Museum, Annan Museum, Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum, The Old Bridge House, Robert Burns House and the Robert Burns Centre).

Helen Rainey

One System: Leadership for Collaborative Services

Helen is a lecturer within the School of Health and Life Sciences at the University of the West of Scotland. She is a registered nurse with over 20 years of experience within education.

Helen is passionate about the role that education, at all levels, can play in supporting the delivery of integrated people-centred services to enable the transformational changes required for a health and social care service fit for the 21st century. Helen has extensive experience in leading and teaching educational programmes, including the BA (Hons) Integrated Health and Social Care programme and the MSc Leading People-centred Integrated Care programme.

Helen is an active member of IFIC Scotland and has contributed to a number of their projects including support in the planning and delivery of the Transforming Together project with Sao Paulo State.

Matt Swarbrick

One System: Leadership for Collaborative Services

Matt Swarbrick is an accomplished sales and marketing leader with over 25 years of experience spanning the media, education, retail, and technology sectors. Currently serving as the Director of Partnerships at the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), he has led teams across Higher Education, Employers and Training Providers, and International.

He is deeply involved in bridging the gap between education and the workplace, ensuring students and professionals are equipped with essential employability skills to succeed as future industry leaders.

As a Chartered Manager (CMgr) and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (FCMI), Matt is highly regarded for his ability to build strong external relationships and tackle complex challenges within the ever-evolving business and education landscapes.

Kate Rocks

The Next 30 Years: Funding, Power and Partnership

Kate has been Chief Officer (HSCP) at Inverclyde Council since August 2022. The Chief Officer position covers a wide remit which includes managing a broad range of local authority and NHS services, including adult social care and community health services for both adults and children. In addition, she has strategic and operational responsibility for homelessness, prison based social work, and inpatient mental health. The role involves strategic leadership, collaboration with senior management teams from Inverclyde Council and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and ensuring the integration of health and social care services.

Prior to being appointed Chief Officer, Kate served as Head of Public Protection / Children’s Services and Chief Social Work Officer at East Renfrewshire from 2014. Kate has been a qualified Social Worker for 38 years and has worked in both England and Scotland in a range of roles — Probation Officer, Mental Health Officer, Children’s Social Worker — to Senior Management positions over the last twenty years in both Health and Social Work.

Charlene Elliott

Panel Speaker

Charlene Elliott has been Chief Executive of CVS Inverclyde for the past seven years, leading the organisation through a period of growth, innovation, and increasing influence across the third sector.

Passionate about partnership working and community empowerment, she works closely with local, regional, and national partners to strengthen the role of charities, community groups, social enterprises, and volunteers in improving lives across Inverclyde.

Charlene is committed to building a successful, inclusive, and resilient Inverclyde and is a strong advocate for collaboration as a driver of positive social change.

Neale McIlvanney

Afternoon Keynote Panel

Neale McIlvanney is Interim Director of Regeneration at Inverclyde Council, with strategic responsibility for a broad portfolio that includes regeneration, economic development, planning, housing, public protection and place-based investment.

He has extensive experience leading major regeneration and infrastructure projects, securing external funding, and developing partnerships that support sustainable economic growth and community renewal. Neale is a chartered town planner and member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and has previously worked in local government at North and South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.

Elaine Cannon

Lunch, Link and Learn: Community Link Worker Showcase

Elaine Cannon is the Lead Community Link Worker (CLW) for Inverclyde. Her role involves supporting Inverclyde’s CLWs, planning developments and providing direct patient support when required. She liaises closely with HSCP colleagues and compiles reports on the activity of the team.

Elaine’s background is varied, having worked in justice services, family support and recovery services.

Vicki Cloney

Session Host

Vicki Cloney has been the Partnerships Facilitator at CVS Inverclyde since 2019. She has a background in healthcare and quality improvement and a passion for integrated care.

Vicki’s role promotes the relationships and collaborative working between third sector organisations and public sector partners to further the local third sector’s contribution to Inverclyde’s health and wellbeing.

Catriona MacLeod

Session Host

Catriona MacLeod is the Third Sector Development Officer at CVS Inverclyde. Drawing on 15 years of experience in the voluntary sector, she builds relationships with partners and stakeholders to help organisations across Inverclyde strengthen and grow their capacity.

Beth Cowen

Session Host

Beth Cowen is the Volunteer Engagement Officer at CVS Inverclyde. Her role is to promote, support and develop volunteering across Inverclyde. This involves assisting volunteer-involving organisations to develop volunteering programmes and recruit volunteers, while also helping individuals to prepare for and get involved in meaningful opportunities.

Beth is passionate about the benefits of volunteering, having seen the difference that it can make to an individual and to the community.

Tony Lockey

Session Host

Tony Lockey is the Programme Lead at CVS Inverclyde, managing the funded work the organisation does in Inverclyde. Through his role, he focuses on improving the area’s environment, health and cultural standards, and on making CVS Inverclyde’s work sustainable and life affirming.

Prior to joining CVS Inverclyde, Tony held senior roles in both public and private sector organisations.