Talking EDAS

Episode 24- Satwat Rehman, Chief Executive, One Parent Families Scotland

In our first episode of 2026,  we were delighted to welcome Satwat Rehman, Chief Executive of One Parent Families Scotland, for a wide ranging conversation spanning her work in the third sector,  the potential impact of Community Wealth Building to help single-parent families, and the importance of recognising the role that economic development needs to play in creating a fairer, more equitable future for the next generation. 

Special Episode: Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Public Finance

In this special episode of the Talking EDAS podcast, we were delighted to be joined live by Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Public Finance for a discussion with our host and EDAS Chair Neil McInroy focused on community wealth building. 
As the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill makes its way through the Scottish Parliament, Mr McKee delves into his hopes and aspirations for the legislation and the potential impact it will have for economic development and communities across Scotland.
 
The Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill can be read in its current state here.
This episode of the Talking EDAS podcast was recorded live and can be watched on the EDAS Youtube channel here.

Episode 23 - Grace Blakeley, author and commentator

Neil McInroy is joined by Grace Blakeley for a discussion on contemporary capitalism, the flaws with the current economic system and how to create a fairer economy. 
The conversation also explores the needfor a shift toward democratic socialism, public ownership of key sectors, investment in green industries, and empowering communities through collective action.
 
 

Community Wealth Building Series #5 - Graham Watson, SNIB

Neil is joined by Graham Watson, Head of Public and Government Partnerships at the Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB) for a conversation on the role of SNIB in economic development, the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) with a focus on inclusive and democratic business models, and to discuss the opportunities for SNIB to support the Community Wealth Building agenda. 
Find out more about SNIB -  https://www.thebank.scot/
 

Community Wealth Building Series #4 - Hamish Trench, Scottish Land Commission

Neil McInroy speaks with Hamish Trench, Chief Executive of the Scottish Land Commission, about land’s central role in Scotland’s future and a Community Wealth Building agenda.
They discuss the challenges of concentrated land ownership, the importance of community ownership, and how land reform can unlock local economic benefits—particularly through renewables and natural capital. 
 
 
 
 
 

Community Wealth Building Series #3 - Naila Wood, Balfour Beatty

We were delighted to welcome Naila Wood, Head of Social Impact at Balfour Beatty, as the latest guest for our Community Wealth Building Podcast mini series.
Naila joined Neil McInroy to discuss the human elements of Community Wealth Building, the importance of engaging with, and bringing together communities through infrastructure projects to build a thriving local economy and social wellbeing. 
 
You can read more about Balfour Beatty's Community Engagement Approach here.
Visit the EDAS Community Wealth Building Centre for Excellence here.
 

Episode 22 - Iain Gulland, Zero Waste Scotland

Ahead of the publication of a new co-authored think piece from EDAS and Zero Waste Scotland, Iain Gulland, Chief Executive at Zero Waste Scotland sat down with Neil McInroy for a conversation on rewiring the economy to allow the nation to become fairer, greener and more prosperous.
The think piece which was released on the 10th April as part of a partnership between EDAS and Zero Waste Scotland to promote the principles of an innovative, successful and sustainable Scottish economy. 
 
Read the full think piece here: Circularity: a material development in economic innovation'.
Read more about the partnership between Zero Waste Scotland and EDAS here.
 
 
 

Community Wealth Building Series #2 - Sarah McKinley, The Democracy Collaborative

Neil McInroy is joined by Sarah McKinley, Director of Community Wealth Programs for the Democracy Collaborative, for a conversation which shines a spotlight on the origins of Community Wealth Building, what Scotland can learn from the USA, and how Sarah's own career in CWB and economic development began.
 
Democracy Collaborative website
More about Sarah McKinley 
EDAS Community Wealth Building Centre for Excellence.

Community Wealth Building Series #1 - Neil McInroy

EDAS, through our Community Wealth Building (CWB) Centre for Excellence, and on behalf of the Scottish Government is delivering a work programme to grow knowledge sharing, build expertise and skills and highlight good practice in organisations looking to start, or develop their CWB activities.
In the first episode of our CWB podcast series, Neil McInroy, Chair of EDAS and Global Lead for Community Wealth Building, The Democracy Collaborative, joins Peter Duncan for a conversation on EDAS' new CWB Centre for Excellence and the vision for how CWB can improve Scotland's communities and the wider economy.

Episode 21 - Gregor Irwin, Director-General Economy, Scottish Government

Neil McInroy is joined by Gregor Irwin, Director-General Economy, Scottish Government. 
As Director-General Economy, Gregor leads on delivery of the National Strategy for Economic Transformation, helping build a strong, competitive economy for Scotland.
He joined us on the year anniversary of his taking on the role for a conversation on the importance of implementing economic policies that ensure people and places can thrive, the economic opportunities that renewables offer for Scotland, and how economic development can play a role in unlocking Scotland's potential.
 
The Scottish Government's Green Industrial Strategy was published on 11th September 2024 and can be viewed here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/green-industrial-strategy/