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Investing in Scotland’s future – reflections from the Scottish Global Investment Summit

Judith Cruickshank, Chair of our Scotland Board, shares her reflections on the Scottish Global Investment Summit, which brought together business leaders, investors and innovators to showcase Scotland’s growth potential. 

The Scottish Global Investment Summit held earlier this month, with the Royal Bank of Scotland as lead sponsor, was an important opportunity to showcase Scotland’s strengths, to connect investors with real opportunities and to influence the national conversation on growth and investment.

Here are my three key takeaways from the discussions, presentations and networking at the event:

 

1. Scotland is uniquely placed to deliver the future of energy transition

Scotland’s leadership in the energy transition is founded on a rich history of expertise and its unique natural environment. Its extensive coastline and diverse landscapes make it ideal for renewable energy projects, including onshore and offshore wind, marine engineering, and battery storage solutions. These strengths position Scotland as a global leader in clean energy innovation.

Additionally, significant investment in carbon capture technologies supports the country’s commitment to reducing emissions and meeting climate goals. Such projects not only benefit the environment but also drive economic growth by creating skilled jobs and attracting international expertise.

Institutions like NatWest Group can play a crucial role by financing these initiatives, aligning financial support with Scotland’s green ambitions. This combination of natural advantages, historical knowledge, and investment activity places Scotland at the forefront of the global energy transition, offering both environmental and economic opportunities.

Renowned institutions across Scotland continue to attract global talent and facilitate cutting-edge research, particularly in life sciences and technology sectors. 

2. Life science and technology businesses are thriving in Scotland

Scotland’s strong tradition of innovation is supported by world-class universities and robust investment in research and development. Renowned institutions across Scotland continue to attract global talent and facilitate cutting-edge research, particularly in life sciences and technology sectors.

This ecosystem has fostered many thriving businesses that have successfully secured significant investment to scale their operations. Initiatives like NatWest’s Accelerator Hubs in Glasgow and Edinburgh are a vital part of this, providing support, mentorship and funding, helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into commercial successes.

The Scottish Global Investment Summit was a moment to further highlight these achievements, connecting innovators with investors and raising Scotland’s profile as a hub for technology and life sciences. This integrated approach — combining education, research, and business support — drives economic growth and cements Scotland’s role as a centre of global innovation.

Discover more about NatWest Group’s support for Scotland

Visit our Scotland spotlight hub

3. Scotland remains one of the world’s leading hubs for Financial Services

Financial services are a vital pillar of Scotland's economy, demonstrated by the enduring presence of institutions such as the Royal Bank of Scotland. Recent investments from global firms like Barclays, Blackrock, and Lloyds, reflect continued confidence in Scotland’s financial ecosystem.

Scotland benefits from a highly skilled workforce supported by prestigious universities, and its strong connections to London facilitate access to larger markets and collaboration opportunities. The existence of accelerator hubs and close links between academia and industry continue to enhance this appeal, fostering innovation and growth within financial services.

 

More ambition is required to attract more investment to Scotland

Scotland’s achievements in energy, innovation, and financial services are impressive, but we must not be complacent. We need to do more to celebrate investment and company success – both within Scotland, to inspire ambition across the broader business community, and beyond, to attract further investment.

Our small size can be an advantage.

We must present a unified ambition that connects geographies and sectors, and aligns all key components for growth, such as housing and infrastructure. The Global Investment Summit was vital for this reason, helping to showcase the country’s strengths and, importantly, ensure we follow through with concrete action.

Judith Cruickshank

Judith is Chair of our Scotland Board and Managing Director, Commercial Mid Market at Royal Bank of Scotland.

Follow Judith on LinkedIn for updates.

The material published on this page is for information purposes only and should not be regarded as providing any specific advice, or used by consumers to make financial decision. Terms and conditions apply to any products or services mentioned.

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