Alan Nelson – Acting managing director of CMS Scotland

Hosted by broadcaster and journalist Kirsty Wark, CMS’s ‘On Point’ event takes place on Thursday 2 October 2025 at Edinburgh’s EICC with its focus on Scottish business and the new world order.

Born in Ayrshire in 1970, Nicola Sturgeon emerged from humble origins to become Scotland’s longest-serving First Minister, a role she held for nine years. She entered the Scottish Parliament in 1999 serving as a West of Scotland MSP and then as the member for Glasgow Southside (formerly Glasgow Govan) from 2007. She became Deputy First Minister to the late Alex Salmond following the SNP’s victory in the 2007 Scottish Parliament elections. In 2011 she was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Capital Investment and Cities, and then took over as First Minister following the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.

With her highly-publicised memoir, Frankly, published last month, Ms Sturgeon will talk about her life in politics and Scotland’s place in the world.

She will be joined by broad spectrum of other high-profile guest speakers including Sebastian Burnside, Chief Economist at NatWest Group, who will deliver a ‘high-octane’ global economic overview; Dr Stephanie Hare, an authority and media commentator on AI and technology; and Will Ullstein, CEO of global public opinion and data company YouGov. The conference will also feature an expert panel discussing key elements needed to help Scottish business to thrive within the current geopolitical climate.

Alan Nelson, Acting Managing Director of CMS Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Nicola Sturgeon to our annual On Point conference taking place in Edinburgh next month.

“As one of the most formidable and enduring figures in UK politics, we look forward to hearing her insights on leadership and her thoughts on Scotland’s role within the modern world.

“Both Ms Sturgeon and our other high-calibre speakers will offer relevant and timely insights on how Scottish businesses of all sizes, and across all sectors, can thrive in a volatile global economic environment.”

On Point: Scottish business and the new world order takes place Thursday 2 October, 2025 from 08:30-13:00. Further information on the event is available here.