Summit set to map out vision for Edinburgh's future

'Edinburgh: The Next Five Years' brings together key decision-makers from the public and private sectors to draw up a strategic vision for the city after a traumatic 18 months which saw its two big banks on the verge of collapse.

John Swinney, cabinet secretary for finance and sustainable growth, will give the keynote address on Edinburgh's crucial role in driving forward Scotland's economy.

Other speakers will give their views on how the key sectors might look in five years – from banking, financial services and the professions, through to transport, architecture and festivals.

It is hoped that the event – the first organised by new business The Scotsman Conferences, in partnership with Essential Edinburgh – could become an annual state-of-the-city summit.

The event will be held at The Hub in Castlehill, Edinburgh on 22 February, and aims to kick-start a debate on Edinburgh's future, rather than complaining about the past.

"We don't want to look back," said Tom Campbell, chief executive of Essential Edinburgh, the city's Business Improvement District.

"This conference is not about moaning or shroud-waving – it is all about a new vision for the city, about bringing key people together to make big things happen."

Mr Campbell, who will speak at the event, added: "There are lots of different strategies and ideas about where Edinburgh is going – lots of pieces in the jigsaw are already there.

What we want to do is try to discover what is the picture on the jigsaw box – what will the city look like in five, ten, 15 years?

"We are more interested in what we all want Edinburgh to be. If we can map out a vision of what we want, then people can get together in the coming years to discuss how to make it happen."

Other speakers at the event include venture capitalist Ben Thomson; Dave Anderson, director of city development for Edinburgh City Council;

Owen Kelly, chief executive of Scottish Financial Enterprise; Linda Urquhart, chair of CBI Scotland and chief executive of law firm Morton Fraser; trams boss Richard Jeffrey; events supremo Pete Irvine; and the architect Malcolm Fraser.

The conference will conclude with a series of agreed recommendations to drive the city forward, which will form the basis of an ongoing debate in The Scotsman and www.scotsman.com.

Henry Faure Walker, general manager of The Scotsman Publications Ltd, said: "The Scotsman has been at the centre of public policy debate in Scotland for almost 200 years and we want to remain there."

To book a place at the conference, go to www.scotsmanconferences.com