Industry leaders, policy makers and academics make up the list of speakers at the 2018 annual Scottish Property Federation (SPF) conference, which looks specifically at the value of place-making, the people-centric approach to planning and design of public spaces, and how it is funded.

Investing in Places, which takes place on March 7 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, will welcome Derek Mackay MSP cabinet secretary for finance and the constitution, as its keynote speaker to give the government’s perspective on the sector’s role in the wider economy.

To accompany this, Professor Graeme Roy of the Fraser of Allander Institute will unveil the findings of the latest in-depth report into the economic impact of the real estate sector in Scotland, highlighting the key economic drivers, opportunities and challenges for government, developers and investors.

Also taking the stage will be David Paine, co-head of global real estate at Aberdeen Standard Investments, Peter Reekie, chief executive of the Scottish Futures Trust and Lesley Watt, chief financial officer of Miller Developments, who will join SPF vice chair Miller Mathieson, MD of CBRE in Scotland, to discuss sources of investment.

Delegates will also hear from Michaela Sullivan, group land manager at CALA Group, Maria Francké, partner at Cushman & Wakefield, and Mike Galloway, director of city development at Dundee City Council, who will lead the discussion on place-making, along with SPF chairman Andrew Sutherland, joint MD of Miller Developments.

Award-winning Scottish television and radio broadcaster Gavin Esler will facilitate the conference.

Andrew Sutherland said: “The role of the real estate industry to create our built environment around the needs of local communities and attract investment capital to grow our economy has never been more important. This year’s SPF conference looks at how we can harness these opportunities.

“With such a strong line-up of speakers and several interactive sessions to enable delegates to debate the issues of investment and place-making, the conference provides a platform for the industry to help shape the way forward.”

The SPF Conference is sponsored by Edinburgh-based Miller Developments and international law firm Womble Bond Dickinson.