DealMakers' Breakfast
Infrastructure:
Golden Age of Transformation
30 April 2026
8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Kingsmills Hotel
Inverness
DealMakers' Breakfast
Infrastructure: Golden Age of Transformation
30 April 2026 | 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Kingsmills Hotel | Inverness
The Business is holding its first Dealmakers’ Breakfast in Inverness, chaired by Kenny Kemp, the Editor of The Business, the quarterly magazine distributed with Sunday Times Scotland, and will tackle this vital topic.
The Highlands of Scotland are preparing for a ‘Golden Age of Transformation’ which will deliver community and economic benefits for generations to come.
This 21st-century bonanza of investment will bring massive opportunities for businesses through the electrification of the grid and the onshore and offshore renewables industries, while helping to stabilise historic depopulation with new jobs and modern housing.
Infrastructure also means ports and harbours, new homes and green spaces, and the chance to make the Highlands a sustainable and beautiful place to live.
Meanwhile, the Highland Council has also appointed hub North Scotland as its delivery partner for the new £2.1bn Highland Investment Plan, which is designed to transform local infrastructure and services.
We will also hear more about SSEN Transmission, the 75%-owned subsidiary of SSE plc, which has submitted plans to the energy regulator, Ofgem, to deliver at least £22bn in grid infrastructure through its Business Plan for the RIIO-T3 price control, covering the period from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031.
The Business is holding its first Dealmakers’ Breakfast in Inverness, chaired by Kenny Kemp, the Editor of The Business, the quarterly magazine distributed with Sunday Times Scotland, and will tackle this vital topic.
The Highlands of Scotland are preparing for a ‘Golden Age of Transformation’ which will deliver community and economic benefits for generations to come.
This 21st-century bonanza of investment will bring massive opportunities for businesses through the electrification of the grid and the onshore and offshore renewables industries, while helping to stabilise historic depopulation with new jobs and modern housing.
Infrastructure also means ports and harbours, new homes and green spaces, and the chance to make the Highlands a sustainable and beautiful place to live.
Meanwhile, the Highland Council has also appointed hub North Scotland as its delivery partner for the new £2.1bn Highland Investment Plan, which is designed to transform local infrastructure and services.
We will also hear more about SSEN Transmission, the 75%-owned subsidiary of SSE plc, which has submitted plans to the energy regulator, Ofgem, to deliver at least £22bn in grid infrastructure through its Business Plan for the RIIO-T3 price control, covering the period from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031.
Expert Panel
*Click speaker for bio
Kenny Kemp
Editor & Event Chair
The Business
Baroness Margaret Ford
Chair
London Gatwick Airport
Chris Thomson
Managing Director
BRUSH Group
Richard Park
Chief Executive
Hub North Scotland
Joanne Allday
Head of Strategy
Port of Cromarty Firth
Following the expert panel, attention will turn to the political choices shaping the Highlands’ future. Taking place just 7 days before Scotland goes to the polls, a cross-party panel of candidates will examine the infrastructure decisions that will determine the region’s economic trajectory – from transport links and housing to what many are calling the “electrification of the Highlands.”
As renewable energy generation expands across the north of Scotland, the question is no longer whether the Highlands will play a central role in the energy transition, but whether the grid, investment and planning systems can keep pace.
This closing discussion will give business leaders a timely opportunity to hear directly from those seeking election about how they plan to deliver the infrastructure needed to power the Highlands’ next chapter.
Following the expert panel, attention will turn to the political choices shaping the Highlands’ future.
Taking place just 7 days before Scotland goes to the polls, a cross-party panel of candidates will examine the infrastructure decisions that will determine the region’s economic trajectory – from transport links and housing to what many are calling the “electrification of the Highlands.”
As renewable energy generation expands across the north of Scotland, the question is no longer whether the Highlands will play a central role in the energy transition, but whether the grid, investment and planning systems can keep pace.
This closing discussion will give business leaders a timely opportunity to hear directly from those seeking election about how they plan to deliver the infrastructure needed to power the Highlands’ next chapter.
Political Panel
*Click speaker for bio
Fergus Ewing
Independent
Emma Roddick
Scottish National Party
Ruraidh Stewart
Scottish Conservative & Unionist
Neil Alexander
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Isla McCay
Scottish Labour
Agenda
8:00
8:40
8:50
9:15
10:15
10:25
10:45
11:30
Breakfast and Networking
Chair’s introduction
Expert panel introductions
Expert panel Q&A
Refreshment break
Political panel introductions
Political panel Q&A
Finish
Agenda
8:00: Breakfast and Networking
8:40: Chair’s introduction
8:50: Expert panel introductions
9:15: Expert panel Q&A
10:15: Refreshment break
10:25: Political panel introductions
10:45: Political panel Q&A
11:30: Finish
Who Should Attend
This is a major on-the-record business event for those involved with Highlands and Islands infrastructure.
- Anyone considering bidding for Highland contracts
- Tier 1 and Tier 2 company leaders wishing to hear how collaborative working will deliver the best value
- Those preparing their workforce to handle major national contract work
- Anyone interested in the legal and advisory work from the projects
- A company executive from outwith the area wishing to learn more about the opportunities in the North
Book tickets
Agenda
9:30 – 9:45
Q&A with Expert Panel
Kenny Kemp
Editor and Author
The Business
Gerry McGurk
Managing Director
Rockall
Maggie McGinlay
Chief Executive
Energy Transition Zone
Dan McGrail
CEO
Great British Energy
10:30 – 10:45
Q&A with Political Panel
Stephen Flynn
Westminster Leader
Scottish National Party
Alex Cole-Hamilton
Leader
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Malcolm Offord
Scottish Leader
Reform UK
Douglas Lumsden
MSP
Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party
Partners
Why Attend
The morning begins at 8:00 a.m. with breakfast and a networking session. The panel discussion begins at 8:45 a.m. with brief presentations from the panel, followed by a question-and-answer session, during which a roving microphone will be used to gather questions from guests. The event finishes promptly at 11:30 am, allowing you to continue your daily business.
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