Professor Jason Leitch in conversation with Jacqui Low

Past Event: 7th June 2022

This event took place in-person at CodeBase, Edinburgh, and was streamed live online.

The Covid 19 pandemic rapidly shut down entire sectors of our economy, prompted the biggest state intervention in our society since World War Two, and has so far claimed over 12,000 lives in Scotland. To discuss his experience of leadership during the pandemic, and how a complex scientific response was translated into straightforward messaging for both public and government, DHI was delighted to welcome Professor Jason Leitch to our first post-pandemic in-person event. 

Jason was in conversation with business leader and Chairman of Partick Thistle football club, Jacqui Low, to discuss the challenges of decision-making in a fast-moving crisis. He explored the effect of the pandemic on Scotland’s economy and discussed the tensions between prioritising public health and minimising damage to businesses, livelihoods, and wellbeing.

Professor Jason Leitch CBE is the National Clinical Director of the Scottish Government, tasked with providing advice to government and public during the Covid 19 health crisis. From a career in dentistry, he moved into healthcare reform and has since advised governments around the world from Denmark to South Africa. Jason went on to play a leading role in public health communication in Scotland from the start of the pandemic in 2020. 

Business leader and Chairman of Partick Thistle football club, Jacqui Low, chaired the event.
Jacqui is a strategic communicator with almost 40 years’ experience in media, business, politics and government. She was the first female special adviser to the secretary of state in Scotland, was a founder and vice-chairman of national tele-care service NHS 24, and specialises in business continuity during crises.

What next for Scotland's places?

Past event: June 2021

What next for Scotland’s places?

Professor Duncan MacLennan and Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery, John Swinney MSP, discuss building forward better post pandemic

Professor Maclennan launches a new report A Scotland of Better Places commissioned by the David Hume Institute as part of The Action Project.  Professor Maclennan discussed the findings with Mr Swinney and the central role Scotland's Places will play in Covid recovery.

The David Hume Institute’s Action Project investigates actions for Scotland to ‘move faster towards a country that is more prosperous, sustainable, inclusive and fair’. The project engaged more than 4,500 people from across Scotland, bringing together a broad range of perspectives. 

Covid shone a light on the places in which we live, work, study, play and grow. They are inter-connected, inter-dependent and impact on every aspect of our lives.

We are grateful for reflections from Angela Watt (Resonate Together), Carolyn Sawers (Corra Foundation), Mollie McGoran MSYP (Scottish Youth Parliament) and Euan Leitch (SURF).

The Great Risk Transfer: What is it and why does it matter?

Past event: May 2021

Political decisions and global mega trends have transferred risk from institutions to individuals. The intention was to give people more choice and flexibility, and to drive innovation. But these freedoms have come with more risk and responsibility - and have led to a boom in scams.

Individuals are now responsible for managing more of their own financial risks, from ensuring they put enough money into their pension to securing affordable protection to be financially resilient. Can we rebalance risk?

Join John Taylor, past President of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) and Jan Oliver, Partner Baillie Gifford to discuss this fascinating new IFoA research.

Read Susan Murray’s opinion piece on the impact of the Great Risk Transfer, originally published in The Scotsman.

How do global oligopolies matter for business strategy and international political economy?

The David Hume Institute bring you Professor Chris Carr and Professor Jeffrey Fear in conversation.

Chris has spent over 30 years researching strategic approaches to globalisation. Join us as he and Jeffrey discuss his analysis of global business trends and offer guidance for more effective global business strategies.

He will look at global concentrations and profits in all sectors and their geographical spread. Chris will also discuss his analysis of cross-border mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances, as well considering likely future directions.

Chris will be drawing on themes from his new book Global Oligopoly: A Key Idea for Business and Society.