At the start of 2016, the UK economy is facing multiple uncertainties. The largest of these is our future relationship with the EU that will be determined by referendum. Other major external factors include the slowing Chinese economy, the plummeting oil price, the recent US interest rate increase, developments in the Eurozone, and the associated macroeconomic policies of the main players. Andrew Smith, formerly Chief Economist at KPMG, will give a detailed analysis of the overall economic landscape and how things could play out for the UK. Andrew has much experience of briefing senior executives on complex economic matters and has a great ability to interpret what has happened, and outline what could happen, with precision and humour.

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The Scottish economy is heavily dependent on energy and finance and also benefits from a skilled population and world class education system. Politically the Scottish Parliament is dominated by the SNP who now also have a strong cohort of MPs in Westminster.  The SNP is on record as opposing austerity as a route back to economic health and has appointed as advisers two progressive economists, Joseph Stiglitz and Mariana Mazzucato. Tasmina Ahmed Sheikh MP is the SNP spokesperson on Trade and Investment and will outline SNP policies and lead a discussion.