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.