Public Knowledge

Why do startups leave Scotland, and what would make them stay?

In Part 2 of this conversation, Sepi Golzari-Munro and formerSkyscanner COO Mark Logan unpack the hidden infrastructure that determines whether startups in Scotland scale… or disappear.

From robotics manufacturing to immigration policy, this is a candid look at what it will actually take for Scotland to compete globally.
Timecodes:

00:00 Investor Mindset & What Makes an Attractive Ecosystem

02:01 Pathways to Scale in Deep Tech

07:48 Talent Development and Ecosystem Growth

14:36 Why Mark Left Scot Gov Role

19:11 Future Plans & Mark's New Book
 
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Professor Mark Logan OBE, FRSE is former COO of Skyscanner - one of Europe's most successful technology companies, and former Chief Entrepreneurial Adviser to the Scottish Government.
He is the author of the catalytic Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review and is a leading exponent of modern Scottish Entrepreneurship.

He is Professor of Computing Science at the University of Glasgow, a Senior Enterprise Fellow at the University of Strathclyde, an entrepreneur-in-residence at The RoyalConservatoire of Scotland and a Visiting Professor at the Glasgow School of Art.
 
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“We lost our pride. But we can rebuild it.”Mark Logan grew up in Clydebank — once the Silicon Valley of shipbuilding. Today, he believes Scotland may be on the brink of a new virtuous cycle of entrepreneurship and innovation.In Part 1 of this wide-ranging conversation, Sepi Golzari-Munro and Mark Logan explore the Scottish tech ecosystem, Scotland's creative sector, culture, startups, belief and mindset — and why Scotland’s success may be hiding in plain sight.-------Timecodes00:00 Mark Logan - Skyscanner & Scotland03:52 Do we Scots know ourselves?07:02 The Rise of the Scottish Tech Ecosystem12:35 Changes in Scottish Tech Ecosystem since 202016:43 Belief & Harnessing Human Energy in Start-ups20:30 Scotland's Creative Sector/Economy------Professor Mark Logan OBE, FRSE is former COO of Skyscanner - one of Europe's most successful technology companies, and former Chief Entrepreneurial Adviser to the Scottish Government. He is the author if the catalytic Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review and is a leading exponent of modern Scottish Entrepreneurship. He is Professor of Computing Science at the University of Glasgow, a Senior Enterprise Fellow at the University of Strathclyde, an entrepreneur-in-residence at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and a Visiting Professor at the Glasgow School of Art.-----Instagram:   / public_knowledge_pod  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@public_knowle...Linkedin:   / about

#Scotland #MalcolmRobertson #business #politics #innovation #culture #energytransition #narrative #entrepreneurship #publiclife #economy #courage #patience #perseverance #investment #educateyourself

In this episode, I'm talking with Malcolm Robertson - someone who is immersed in the Scottish business, media and political scene but who doesn't often appear in the public eye himself.

Malcolm is one of my all time favourite people that I've met since embarking on this journey, because he not only provides a unique perspective on Scotland's economy and politics... 

He's also willing to go places that others find uncomfortable... to talk about the culture, spirit and mindset at the heart of our public life, and how we can transform it. 

Anyone who knows me, knows how pre-occupied I am with this - so you'll understand why I love talking with him so much!

So expect less facts and figures in this episode but more of an inquiry into the pioneering spirit and culture of Scotland's past, where that spirit is bubbling up in the present and how we can unlock it for the bright future that is within our grasp. Enjoy!

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Timecodes:

00:00 Intro
03:08 From Tenacity to Timidity...& Back Again
05:50 Scottish Innovation & Interplay with Politics
09:09 Risk, Failure, and the Need for Courage
15:07 The New Brand Scotland... With the Old Perseverance
19:35 Patience & Lifting Our Sights
24:11 Short-Termism Affecting Third Sector
28:46 Over-reliance on Government & Taking Radical Responsibility
33:34 The Diminishing Scottish Business Media
37:06 Creating a Supportive Business Environment
42:29 Who Can We Learn From? English Mayors & Scottish Islanders
46:36 Transformational Opportunities for Scotland
50:02 Personal Psyche; Impact on National Psyche
59:14 Public Knowledge & Changing the Story

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Malcolm Robertson is Founding Partner at Charlotte Street Partners - Scotland’s leading communications and public affairs agency. He also chair the board of trustees of Street Soccer Scotland and the Scotland advisory board of Unicef UK. You can find out more about Malcolm here: https://www.charlottestreetpartners.com/people/malcolm-robertson-charlotte-street-partners/

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#money #scotland #economy #jobs #energytransition #globaltrends #growth #educateyourself #educate #business #investment 

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The most important Scotland-England rivalry you’ve probably NEVER heard of… is the one that matters most for the health of the Scottish Finances!

Join me in Part 2 of this interview with Professor Graeme Roy - where we unpack:

* The largely unknown financial formula that puts us in direct competition with England;

* How Scottish stereotypes could be holding our economy back; and

* The need to move beyond a Westminster focus and scrutinise Scottish Government decision making...

If you’re curious about getting under the skin of the real, and really very important story, of Scotland’s changing economic fortunes and how they will impact us all, then this episode is for you!
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Chapters

00:00 Introduction
01:22 Shades of Economic Growth
04:30 Link: Economic Growth & Public Services
06:17 Where Scotland-England Rivalry GETS REAL
09:47 Tax Revenue Growth: Impact on Scottish Budget
11:07 The Importance of High-Quality Jobs
14:52 Scotland's Dynamic & Evolving Economy
19:48 Stories Matter: Mythbusting is Critical to Scotland's Future Economy
21:20 Improving What Scotland DOES Control
25:35 Where is the Vibrancy, the New Ideas, the Challenge?

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Graeme Roy is Chair of the Scottish Fiscal Commission, Scotland’s official independent economic and fiscal forecaster, and Professor of Economics, Deputy Head of the College of Social Sciences and Assistant Vice Principal at the University of Glasgow.

He was previously Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde and a former Senior Civil Servant in the Scottish Government, where he was Head of the First Minister’s Policy Unit.

His research focus is on economic policy and devolution. He is a regular commentator on the Scottish economy, including a column for The Herald newspaper.

He is a past independent adviser to the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee, and a former member of the UK Government’s Scottish Business Taskforce and the Scottish Government’s National Economic Transformation Council.

Outside of university, Graeme is a board member of Stirling Community Enterprise a social enterprise based in the Raploch area that supports community-based training and employment.

In 2023, Graeme was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE). In 2024, he was awarded the Adam Smith Prize by the RSE for his “substantial contribution to public policy and public life in Scotland”.

You can find out more about Graeme’s work here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/business/staff/graemeroy/#biography
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#money#scotland#economy #manufacturing #energytransition #globaltrends#growth#educateyourself#educate#business#investment 

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Think Scotland’s economy is all about salmon, whisky and energy? Then think again! 

In part 1 of this interview with Professor Graeme Roy - we start demystifying the Scottish economy:

Locating it in the wider global and UK context;

Revealing a forgotten story of our economic fall and rise; and

Asking what grand challenges and grand opportunities lie ahead of us.

If you’re curious about getting under the skin of the real, and really very exciting story, of Scotland’s changing economic fortunes and how they will impact us all, then this episode is for you!
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Chapters

00:00 Intro
01:28 Scotland's Economy in a Global Context
04:57 Scottish Manufacturing - Past & Future
08:17 Scotland's Position within the UK Economy
10:32 Grand Challenges Facing Scottish Economy
13:51 Key Sectors of Economy - Present & Future
16:37 Playing Catch Up? Scotland's Public Discourse
19:19 Scotland's Economy - Falling Through the Cracks?

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Graeme Roy is Chair of the Scottish Fiscal Commission, Scotland’s official independent economic and fiscal forecaster, and Professor of Economics, Deputy Head of the College of Social Sciences and Assistant Vice Principal at the University of Glasgow.

He was previously Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde and a former Senior Civil Servant in the Scottish Government, where he was Head of the First Minister’s Policy Unit.

His research focus is on economic policy and devolution. He is a regular commentator on the Scottish economy, including a column for The Herald newspaper.

He is a past independent adviser to the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee, and a former member of the UK Government’s Scottish Business Taskforce and the Scottish Government’s National Economic Transformation Council.

Outside of university, Graeme is a board member of Stirling Community Enterprise a social enterprise based in the Raploch area that supports community-based training and employment.

In 2023, Graeme was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE). In 2024, he was awarded the Adam Smith Prize by the RSE for his “substantial contribution to public policy and public life in Scotland”.

You can find out more about Graeme’s work here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/business/staff/graemeroy/#biography
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