The Conference Centre is home to the keynote talks and panel discussions at The SMIA Summit 2026, bringing people together to explore the future of Scotland’s music industry.
Check out our the keynote speakers and panel programme below. For practical skills and development sessions, visit the Training Centre programme.
You can view the full day schedule via this link.
Keynote Speakers
Robert Kilpatrick (he/him)
Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA)
Thursday 8 October | 10:15am – 10:30am
Speaker Biography
Having been involved in the SMIA since 2014, Robert has spent over a decade building the organisation in a range of executive roles; delivering work to support and champion Scotland’s music industry.
With a proven track record in creative and strategic direction, project management, leadership and business development, Robert was appointed CEO and Creative Director in 2023. He leads the SMIA’s executive team, and he is responsible for designing, developing and implementing an effective company strategy; working with the SMIA board to fulfil the company’s mission.
Since 2017, Robert has led the development and delivery of the SMIA’s flagship project and Scotland’s national music prize; the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award. The SAY Award has grown year on year, and it has now distributed over £425,000 in prize money to Scottish artists since its inception in 2012.
Robert is part of the Scottish Government’s Culture Fair Work Taskforce, a member of the Glasgow Cultural Forum and a Patron of the Music Venue Trust.
Scott Kirkwood (he/him)
Thursday 8 October | 10:45am – 11:00pm
Speaker Biography
Scott Kirkwood is a Glasgow-based talent manager, A&R consultant and project manager, and the founder of Kingdom Management.
Scott began his career working in the A&R department at Columbia Records UK, before going on to consult in the UK for LA-based IAMSOUND Records. He also spent several years working on the Scottish Music Centre’s Hit The Road project, a touring initiative for young artists aged 14–19. The programme helped develop and nurture a number of exciting Scottish artists at the early stages of their careers.
Scott subsequently turned his focus to artist management and development, founding Kingdom Management.
In 2015, Scott signed his first management artist, KLOE, to Columbia Records. During their time together, KLOE released a number of singles and an EP on the label, represented Diesel Black Gold at Milan Fashion Week, toured Europe with Charlie Puth, and performed extensively across the UK, US and Europe.
While managing KLOE, Scott discovered a then 16-year-old Lewis Capaldi, whom he went on to manage and later co-manage for a number of years. Capaldi’s debut album, Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent, became the highest-selling album in the UK in both 2019 and 2020, spending 68 consecutive weeks in the UK Top 10.
Scott has also managed and developed the careers of artists including Aaron Smith, Catholic Action, Medicine Cabinet, Casey Lowry and Ben Walker, and mentored a number of music industry figures in Scotland throughout this time.
Scott’s current roster includes Scottish/French duo YES AND MAYBE, signed to Westward Recordings; Scottish singer-songwriter Dan Parks; songwriter and producer Rory James; and French producer Aslove.
Ben Schogler (he/him)
Thursday 8 October | 12:10pm – 12:20pm
Speaker Biography
Ben leads the National Centre for Music’s work to build a thriving ecosystem of community and talent, championing the full breadth of Scotland’s musical life, from classical and folk to hip hop, jazz and club culture. Ben will help shape the partnerships that will drive the NCM’s programming and industry impact. Holding a PhD in Developmental Psychology, Ben brings a rare combination of academic rigour, entrepreneurial experience and deep roots in Edinburgh’s music scene. Co-founder of Skoogmusic Ltd, a pioneering accessible music technology company, he has collaborated with Apple, Merlin Entertainment and Sesame Workshop, and worked across the musical spectrum from the Special Olympics to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
Lisa Whytock (she/her)
Showcase Scotland Expo // Active Events
Thursday 8 October | 4:50pm – 4:05pm
Speaker Biography
Lisa Whytock is CEO of Showcase Scotland Expo Ltd, Scotland’s export office for folk, roots and traditional music, and founding Director of Active Events, the international music agency she established in 1990.
With more than 35 years’ experience across artist management, live music and international development, Lisa has played a significant role in building careers, creating major performance opportunities and extending the global reach of Scottish music. Her early landmark projects included A Day for Scotland, Scotland’s first 50,000-capacity music festival. Through Active Events she has worked with leading artists including Bob Geldof, Breabach, Capercaillie, Elephant Sessions, FARA, James Grant, Martyn Bennett and The East Pointers.
For 25 years, Lisa led Showcase Scotland at Celtic Connections, helping establish it as one of the most important international industry platforms for folk, roots and traditional music. Today, through Showcase Scotland Expo, supported by Creative Scotland and PRS Foundation, she works strategically with government, funders and international partners to create new opportunities for artists, develop export markets and strengthen Scotland’s cultural profile internationally.
Lisa was a driving force behind the creation of Global Music Match, which brought together music export organisations and artists from across the world and received the WOMEX Professional Excellence Award in 2021. In recognition of her wider contribution to the sector, Lisa received the Hamish Henderson Award for Services to Traditional Music in 2020.
Conference Panels
From Discovery to Demand – Building Audiences for Scottish Music | Panel Discussion and Audience Q&A | 11:00am-12:05pm
Discovery is the lifeblood of music, but the routes connecting artists and audiences are being transformed. Global platforms and algorithms increasingly shape what people hear, while broadcasting, journalism, venues, festivals, education and local scenes remain vital but face growing pressure.
How can Scottish music cut through, reach new people and build relationships that last? This panel will explore what is changing in audience behaviour, why affordability, geography, transport, accessibility and representation still determine who gets to participate, and how the industry can develop younger and more diverse audiences. From first encounter to lifelong connection, what will it take to turn discovery into meaningful demand for Scottish music?
Speakers
Ben Jeffries (he/him)
[Chair]
Speaker Biography
Until very recently, Ben was Head of Scotland for the Audience Agency, supporting Scottish arts organisations cross Scotland to better understand and develop their audiences.
Ben has spent 25 years working in Marketing and Audience development in the performing arts, building brands, audiences and income for art organisations across the UK includingThe Lyceum in Edinburgh, Perth Concert Hall and Theatre , Macrobert Arts Centre in Stirling and the Royal National Theatre and Tricycle Theatre and Cinema in London.
He was also the Audience Development lead for Arts Council England, London.
Jubemi Iyiku (he/him)
[Panellist]
Speaker Biography
Nigeria-born, Glasgow-based rapper and artist BEMZ has become an influential voice in Scotland’s music scene, both through his own career and his work creating new platforms for emerging and underrepresented talent.
A Scottish Album of the Year Award nominee, DJ Mag Breakthrough MC/Vocalist Best of British Award winner and BBC Introducing’s first-ever Scottish Act of the Year, BEMZ has built his career through a strong connection with audiences. His live journey has taken him from grassroots venues to major stages, including TRNSMT, tours with The Snuts and performances at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom. In 2026, he will also perform at the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony alongside Valtos, before returning for a special performance as part of the Closing Ceremony.
As the first signing to Happy Artist Records, BEMZ continues to develop his career and reach new audiences while exploring a brighter and more open musical direction. Recent collaborations with The Snuts have seen him bring together his distinctive approach to rap with influences from Scotland’s indie scene, opening up new creative possibilities and connections between audiences and genres.
Beyond his own music, BEMZ is the driving force behind M4, a series of pop-up events and festival programming created to provide greater visibility and opportunity for artists and genres traditionally underrepresented within Scotland’s music landscape. The project grew from BEMZ’s own experiences of the industry and his belief in creating the change and opportunities he wanted to see.
His work also spans presenting, sport, media and brand collaborations, from covering major football events to working with brands including JD, Adidas, Raymond Weil and Glenmorangie. Across these different roles, BEMZ has continued to find new ways to connect with audiences beyond traditional music channels.
Whether through releasing and performing music, creating platforms for other artists or working across music, sport and media, audience connection remains central to BEMZ’s approach. His experience gives him a distinctive perspective on how Scottish artists can reach new people, build lasting relationships with audiences and create opportunities within an evolving music industry.
Scott Kirkwood (he/him)
[Panellist]
Speaker Biography
Scott Kirkwood is a Glasgow-based talent manager, A&R consultant and project manager, and the founder of Kingdom Management.
Scott began his career working in the A&R department at Columbia Records UK, before going on to consult in the UK for LA-based IAMSOUND Records. He also spent several years working on the Scottish Music Centre’s Hit The Road project, a touring initiative for young artists aged 14–19. The programme helped develop and nurture a number of exciting Scottish artists at the early stages of their careers.
Scott subsequently turned his focus to artist management and development, founding Kingdom Management.
In 2015, Scott signed his first management artist, KLOE, to Columbia Records. During their time together, KLOE released a number of singles and an EP on the label, represented Diesel Black Gold at Milan Fashion Week, toured Europe with Charlie Puth, and performed extensively across the UK, US and Europe.
While managing KLOE, Scott discovered a then 16-year-old Lewis Capaldi, whom he went on to manage and later co-manage for a number of years. Capaldi’s debut album, Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent, became the highest-selling album in the UK in both 2019 and 2020, spending 68 consecutive weeks in the UK Top 10.
Scott has also managed and developed the careers of artists including Aaron Smith, Catholic Action, Medicine Cabinet, Casey Lowry and Ben Walker, and mentored a number of music industry figures in Scotland throughout this time.
Scott’s current roster includes Scottish/French duo YES AND MAYBE, signed to Westward Recordings; Scottish singer-songwriter Dan Parks; songwriter and producer Rory James; and French producer Aslove.
Sheri Friers (she/her)
[Panellist]
Speaker Biography
Sheri hails from Toronto, Canada where she studied Radio & Television Arts at Toronto Metropolitan University. After graduation, she embarked on a 3 month adventure to the UK. And never left.
After 6 years in London and working at U2’s record label, she packed her bags and headed to Edinburgh.
Here she set up her own PR company, worked in the media team for T in the Park and eventually met publisher Robin Hodge at The List magazine – a connection which changed her life forever.
In 2002, she talked herself into a newly created role at The List where she spent nearly two decades evolving and growing with the magazine and working her way up the independent arts & culture ladder.
Not long after Covid hit and decimated the live events industry, Sheri and the publishing team were made redundant. Rather than accepting that outcome, Sheri went on to secure investment and save The List as well as her team.
Five years on, The List continues to thrive, win awards and support Scotland’s precious arts and culture community.
Beyond Codes of Conduct – Safety, Power and Accountability in Scotland’s Music Industry | Panel Discussion and Audience Q&A | 2:15pm-3:20pm
Recent research into experiences of sexual violence and harassment in Scottish folk music has brought important questions about safety, power, professional conduct and accountability into sharper focus. These issues have implications across the wider music industry, particularly within freelance, informal and close-knit working environments where responsibilities and routes to support may not always be clear.
Connecting with the Roadmap’s ambitions for fairer and more sustainable music careers – and its principles of equity by design, Fair Work and accountability – this panel will consider how Scotland can create safer and more supportive conditions for people to participate, work and progress in music. It will explore where responsibility sits, how organisations and institutions can move beyond policy commitments towards meaningful practice and what collective learning and action could help strengthen standards across the industry.
Speakers
Jen Anderson (she/her)
The Bothy Society
// pointblank music school
[Chair]
Speaker Biography
Jen Anderson is the founder of The Bothy Society, a Glasgow-based management, booking, label, publishing and sync company working within Contemporary Traditional Scottish and Irish Music.
She works as a booking agent for many award winning acts including Valtos, Beluga Lagoon, HEISK, Moxie, Limonead, Shooglenifty, Dlù and Face The West, and manages Valtos, HEISK, An Dannsa Dub, Moxie and Limonead.
She also oversees the label, publishing and sync sides of the business, which include Beluga Lagoon, Shooglenifty and Findlay Napier. The company was built with inclusivity, cultural integrity and sustainability as founding principles.
Jen chaired The BIT Collective from 2024 to 2026, having joined its board of trustees in 2023. The charity works to advance gender equity and broader equality in Scottish folk and traditional music, and during her time as Chair she led its transition to SCIO status and built the governance structure behind it.
She developed a safeguarding and EDIA strategy that drew together the findings of multiple sector research reports into 31 recommendations, setting out where BIT should lead and where action sat with partner organisations. That strategy secured an EDIA pilot fund for 2026 and underpinned a National Lottery application for an 18-month programme of sector guidelines, practitioner sessions and research into gender balance and inclusion. Alongside this she convened cross-sector planning and advocated for a code of practice and a freelancer reporting mechanism for the traditional music industry.
Jen has over 20 years of experience across the music industry in Glasgow and London, with previous roles at Live Nation, Universal Music, Back Yard Music, Machine Management and Sound Travels Live. She is a Senior Lecturer and Module Leader at pointblank music school, where she has taught for 14 years, and her recent research looks at how AI is reshaping higher education and the policy and practice gaps it exposes.
She sits on the boards of the Scottish Music Industry Association and TRACS Scotland, has mentored for Help Musicians and The Space, advised the PRS Foundation and peer-reviewed for Routledge. She holds a BA (Hons) in Business and Marketing, a PGCertHE and a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.
Brian Ó hEadhra (he/him)
Traditional Music Forum of Scotland
// North Atlantic Song Convention (NASC)
[Panellist]
Speaker Biography
Brian Ó hEadhra (pron. Bree-an O-hara) is Director of the Traditional Music Forum of Scotland (TMFS), Director of the North Atlantic Song Convention (NASC), and board member of the BIT Collective.
He leads collaborative initiatives that promote and develop traditional music and song locally, nationally, and internationally.
A creative career spanning 35 years has seen him tour globally as a professional singer, musician, and songwriter, contributing to over twenty recordings. He has worked across the public and cultural sectors with organisations including Creative Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Blas Festival, and Comunn na Gàidhlig, helping shape strategic support for Gaelic and traditional arts.
Based for many years in Inverness, Scotland, and raised in both Newfoundland and Ireland, he brings a transatlantic perspective to his work and teaches Scottish Gaelic song and language to learners worldwide.
Briana Pegado (she/her)
Good Trouble Co // Black Filmmakers Community Network
[Panellist]
Speaker Biography
Briana Pegado is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) and is an award-winning social entrepreneur, activist, and author with a decade’s experience as a senior manager in the creative industries in Scotland.
She is the Co-founder of the Black Filmmakers Community Network (BFCN) in partnership with Glasgow Film Festival, and she is the Filmhub Scotland and British Film Institute (BFI) Film Audience Network (FAN) EDI Champion.
Briana is a critical friend of NEUK Collective’s Leadership and Creative Development Programme for Neurodivergent Artists Spectra, funded by Creative Scotland.
She is a Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Creative Enterprise Development Office (CEDO) Career Clinic Advisor.
Briana was co-director of We Are Here Scotland CIC, an organisation that supports Black and POC creatives into the creative industries in Scotland from 2021-2023. She was Creative Director of Fringe of Colour Films in 2021. She worked as the Grant Manager for the Black Queer Travel Guide (2021-2022) helping the founder secure funding to expand the team, establish a steering group, and grow. Then she became interim CEO of YWCA Scotland – the Young Women’s Movement, an intersectional, feminist charity that supports young women’s leadership, offers consent-based sexual education, and provides women from marginalised communities with work opportunities.
From 2024-2025, Briana was Chair of the Scottish Government’s Independent Culture Fair Work Taskforce, appointed by the Cabinet Minister for Culture Mr Angus Robertson to chair a task force to create recommendations for and design a Fair Work Charter for the entire cultural sector and creative industries in Scotland in line with the Scottish Government’s ambition to be a Fair Work Nation by 2030. She is also the Leadership and Equity Faculty for the UK Creative Community Fellowship Programme delivered in partnership with Derby Museums and NAS (USA).
Briana continues to be a judge for the Write to End Violence Against Women Awards (WEVAW) as a steering group member (2019-present).
Jen Smith (she/her)
Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA)
[Panellist]
Speaker Biography
Jen Smith is the founding CEO of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA), responsible for developing its remit, operating model and governance structure.
In her previous role at the BFI Jen led the creation and publication of the first contractual clauses to prevent harm within the screen sector which were also adopted within music and theatre. She was responsible for gaining international recognition for the BFI Diversity Standards, achieving Autism Friendly Status for BFI Southbank and ensuring that the full range of diversity data on who the BFI funds and employs is published annually.
Jen has also held a broad range of roles in the housing sector leading on Strategy, PR, Business Development, Learning and Development and Inclusion. Prior to that Jen worked in Parliament, specialising in Foreign Affairs and International Relations and is an ACAS accredited mediator.
In September 2026 Jen was appointed by Cabinet Office to be a Disability Access Ambassador for the Creative Industries.
Jen is a founding trustee of CRAFT, The Comedy Representation & Artform Trust and advises three other Boards, The Mark Milsome Foundation, We are the Unheard and UK Muslim Film.
When a Region’s a Nation – Scotland in a UK-wide Music Industry | Panel Discussion and Audience Q&A | 4:05pm-5:10pm
Scotland is a nation with its own cultural policy, public institutions and funding environment. Yet within the UK music industry, it can still be treated as one region among many. That tension matters, as decisions affecting Scottish artists, workers and businesses are made across both Scottish and UK-wide systems, and the two do not always connect effectively.
So what does meaningful UK-wide representation of Scotland actually require? Bringing national trade bodies together with Scotland-based industry voices, this panel will ask when common UK approaches work, where Scotland needs something different and whether its distinct priorities, evidence and opportunities are being properly understood. Who should adapt, where does responsibility sit and what needs to change to ensure Scotland is not operating at the edge of a system largely designed elsewhere?
Speakers
Alan Morrison (he/him)
[Chair]
Speaker Biography
As Head of Music at Creative Scotland since 2016, Alan leads the team that provides funding for all genres of music in the shape of recordings, touring, festivals, artist research and development, and industry sector support.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across Scotland by distributing funding from the Scottish Government and The National Lottery.
Previously, Alan spent more than 25 years in arts journalism. With an initial specialisation in film, he has held the positions of Editor of The List, Associate Editor of Total Film, Reviews Editor of Empire and film critic of The Daily Record. As Group Arts Editor across all titles in the Herald & Times Group, he spent the better part of a decade championing the Scottish arts scene in print, particularly music in the Sunday Herald and The National.
He instigated the Sunday Herald’s cross-genre Top 50 Scottish Albums of the Year list and spent many years on the jury selecting unsigned bands for the T Break at T in the Park.
Mobo Agoro (he/him)
[Panellist]
Speaker Biography
Mobo Agoro is a music manager, programmer and cultural strategist working at the intersection of artist development and grassroots infrastructure. With a hands-on approach to creative and professional growth, he champions early-career talent through his work across multiple platforms — most notably as Curator & Booker for PITCH Scotland and as Artist Manager for Eyve & Tayoh.
As a key collaborator with UP2STNDRD, Mobo supports music education and community-led creative programming under their “Be The Standard” initiative, creating access whilst encouraging self-determination within the Scottish music ecosystem. His programming style centers artist voice and context, curating spaces where emerging acts can build meaningful pathways into the industry.
A PRSF Power Up alumni, Mobo is deeply invested in equitable change, with a focus on empowering voices working within Black Music genres.
Olga FitzRoy (she/her)
[Panellist]
Speaker Biography
Olga FitzRoy is Director of Campaigns and Engagement for UK Music, with over twenty years music industry experience.
An award-winning studio sound engineer, Olga began her career at Sir George Martin’s AIR Studios, before combining engineering with advocacy through the Music Producers Guild and the charity Pregnant Then Screwed.
She was in the BBC Radio 4 Women’s Hour Powerlist 2018, Women In Music Campaigner of the Year 2019 and is the recipient of an Ivors Academy Gold Badge. A previous parliamentary candidate and local councillor, she brings a wealth of relevant experience to her work with UK Music.
Scott Lewis (he/him)
[Panellist]
Speaker Biography
Scott is the label manager at EMI North, the first ever major label office based outside of
London in the UK. Home to Walt Disco, Doves and Nadine Shah, EMI North is part of the
Island EMI label group and was founded in 2023.
On top of their artist roster, EMI North
also support labels across the North including BLK SCL, Interval & Launchpad+, each with their own roster of exceptional emerging talent.
As founder of Leeds based indie label Clue Records, Scott has vast experience working with and supporting artists, releasing music by artists including Bored At My Grandmas
House, The Wedding Present, Van Houten and more.
As well as running Clue, Scott’s background includes lecturing at Leeds Conservatoire, lead artist and project advisor for Music Leeds/Launchpad, workshop delivery for artist development organisation Come
Play With Me and artist management.
He has tour managed in the UK & Europe as well as taking part in the JUMP European Music Market Accelerator programme, working with people from across Europe on brand new business ideas.
Lisa Whytock (she/her)
Showcase Scotland Expo // Active Events
[Panellist]
Speaker Biography
Lisa Whytock is CEO of Showcase Scotland Expo Ltd, Scotland’s export office for folk, roots and traditional music, and founding Director of Active Events, the international music agency she established in 1990.
With more than 35 years’ experience across artist management, live music and international development, Lisa has played a significant role in building careers, creating major performance opportunities and extending the global reach of Scottish music. Her early landmark projects included A Day for Scotland, Scotland’s first 50,000-capacity music festival. Through Active Events she has worked with leading artists including Bob Geldof, Breabach, Capercaillie, Elephant Sessions, FARA, James Grant, Martyn Bennett and The East Pointers.
For 25 years, Lisa led Showcase Scotland at Celtic Connections, helping establish it as one of the most important international industry platforms for folk, roots and traditional music. Today, through Showcase Scotland Expo, supported by Creative Scotland and PRS Foundation, she works strategically with government, funders and international partners to create new opportunities for artists, develop export markets and strengthen Scotland’s cultural profile internationally.
Lisa was a driving force behind the creation of Global Music Match, which brought together music export organisations and artists from across the world and received the WOMEX Professional Excellence Award in 2021. In recognition of her wider contribution to the sector, Lisa received the Hamish Henderson Award for Services to Traditional Music in 2020.
Part of The SMIA Summit 2026
The Conference Centre runs alongside the Training Centre, offering attendees two different ways to take part in The SMIA Summit 2026.
While the Conference Centre focuses on wider industry issues, the Training Centre provides practical sessions covering organisational foundations, financial resilience and measuring and communicating impact.
Attendees will also receive tools and resources they can continue using in their own work.
Register for the SMIA Summit 2026
The SMIA Summit 2026 is free for SMIA members, with places available on a first come, first served basis.
We welcome people from across Scotland’s music industry, and organisations are encouraged to bring their teams so more people can take part in the conversations and training throughout the day.
Not a member yet? SMIA membership is free and open to anyone working in Scotland’s music industry.
Registration for the SMIA Summit 2026 will unlock when you log into the SMIA website and view this page.
Accessibility
If you have any accessibility requirements or would like to discuss how we can support your attendance at The SMIA Summit 2026, please contact info@smia.org.uk.
The venue access guide can be found here.
You can also access our SMIA Code of Conduct here.