Fit for the future together
Old Course Hotel, St Andrews | 6-7 November 2025
Fit for the future together
Old Course Hotel, St Andrews | 6-7 November 2025
Our annual conference brings together passionate HR and OD professionals from across Scotland’s local authorities, and colleagues from the wider public sector, to shape the future of work – together.
As our thinking about the future model for Local Government in Scotland continues to evolve, our roles have never been more important in driving transformation, leading with compassion, and supporting the engagement and wellbeing of our workforce.
This year’s theme, Fit for the Future Together, reflects our shared commitment to navigate this transformation journey together by collaborating to build resilient, digitally enabled and forward-thinking organisations that support our people and enable our communities to thrive.
Across two inspiring days we’ll explore key themes including designing our organisations for the future; the role of HR and OD professionals in transformation; compassionate leadership; employee engagement; AI and technology; delivering complex change and creating high performing teams. We’ll also dig into practical topics like employment law, holding challenging conversations, confidence and mindset, and the importance of sleep in workplace and wellbeing strategies.
Expect fresh insights, practical tools, and plenty of opportunities to collaborate and connect with like-minded colleagues from across Scotland.
AI and
organisational culture
Compassionate
leadership
The future
of work
Holding challenging
conversations
Adapting
to change
Public sector
reform
The future
of HR
Team
dynamics
Employment
law
Delivering
transformational change
Transformation
and technology
Collaborative
working
Confidence
and mindset
Sleep and
wellbeing
Join us in St Andrews in November
The Venue
We are delighted to be returning to the wonderful Old Course Hotel in St Andrews, where you can experience Scottish hospitality and service second to none.
The main presentations and charity dinner will take place in the Hall of Champions, with the exhibition and coffee area in the Hall of Champions foyer.
Keynote Speakers
We have a stellar line up of speakers who will share their insights and expertise to help you think about your current challenges and the future world of work.
Panel Discussion
On Wednesday morning we have a panel session on designing our organisations for the future with insights from Argyle & Bute Council, Oracle and Dale Carnegie.
Breakout Sessions
Delegates have a choice of breakout sessions on both days. Choose between sessions on the CIPD’s Working Life Scotland research, AI, flexible working and public sector reform.
Exhibition
We will be joined by a small number of exhibitors, who will be showcasing a range of products and services that can help you to support and develop people and your organisation.
Charity Dinner
Our charity dinner is always a memorable evening, and we’re delighted to continue our support for Variety Scotland this year.
We are excited to be joined by Basil, Sybil and Manuel from the Faulty Towers Dining Experience to ensure an unforgettable evening!
Networking Opportunities
Networking is an important part of the conference, and we will be building in plenty of time for networking and discussion into the programme so delegates can share what’s happening in their Council, and hear about what’s working for others.
We have a stellar line up of speakers who will share their insights and expertise to help you plan for the future world of work.
Most of our keynote sessions will include time for group discussion and feedback so delegates can share and learn with like-minded people professionals from across the the SPDS network.
Peter Cheese
Chief Executive, CIPD
Leatham Green
Transformation Director: Public Service UK&I, Oracle
George Kunnath
Director of Business Intelligence and Technology, Roffey Park
Stephen Miller
Partner, Clyde & Co
Conference Sponsors
myjobscotland
myjobscotland is the national shared recruitment website for Scotland's local authorities, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Leisure Trusts, Further Education establishments and various other public and third sector organisations. It is a UK and international first in...
PAM Group
We deliver a full range of occupational health and wellbeing services to allow our clients to work towards achieving their Health & Wellbeing goals while protecting their people. We are proud to be supporting over 20 local authority organisations across Scotland...
Venesky-Brown
We are leading providers in the Scottish Public Sector and have grown year after year since our appointment to the Scottish Government Interim Frameworks in 2019. Venesky-Brown offers a range of staffing solutions allowing clients to choose the solution that best fits...
Clyde & Co
Our experience ranges from handling straightforward unfair dismissal claims (where capacity issues prevent these being managed in-house) to sensitive and high value whistleblowing and discrimination claims and civil court litigation including judicial review.
The MJ
The magazine offers comprehensive news coverage of all the latest breaking stories. The editorial team is the most experienced in the sector with more than 50 years’ combined service reporting on local government. This means the team is able to publish incisive...
Conference exhibitors
The MJ
The magazine offers comprehensive news coverage of all the latest breaking stories. The editorial team is the most experienced in the sector with more than 50 years’ combined service reporting on local government. This means the team is able to publish incisive...
myjobscotland
myjobscotland is the national shared recruitment website for Scotland's local authorities, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Leisure Trusts, Further Education establishments and various other public and third sector organisations. It is a UK and international first in...
Tribepad
Bringing ATS, CRM, Onboarding and Video Interviewing together under one roof, it’s easy to use and easy to configure to your way of working, so you can deliver a great candidate experience, make good on your ED&I promises and keep your hiring managers on side with...
Brodies
With more than 100 partners and 850 colleagues working across our offices in London and throughout Scotland, we support our clients in the following core business areas: real estate, corporate and commercial, dispute resolution and risk, banking and finance and...