SPF Voice

This month's SPF Voice is a SPF Annual Conference special edition, which was held earlier this month on 2 April in Glasgow. Inside this feature, find our Chair, Stuart Oag's insight as he reflects on the conversations at the conference as well as he looks ahead to polices and events on the horizon. We also have a special feature from BPF Futures member, Lauren Lynch of CMS talks about her experience at the conference. Also, our SPF team shares policy insights on Housing (Scotland) Bill, Heat in Buildings Bill and updates on the developer contributions. 

Welcome to this year's first Spring Edition of SPF Voice! We feature our Chair Stuart Oag followed by our Industry Insight is from Claire Monaghan, Partner at RSM who looks at the key themes arising from a recent optimism survey on the Scottish market and the opportunities and challenges for the industry. Our SPF Team provides updates on key policies and a recap of our recent engagements. 

Welcome to our February edition of SPF Voice! This month, our Chair delves into the issue of the Building Safety Levy, our Industry Insight features Craig Gunderson from Savills on the potential impact of impending PBSA guidance. The SPF team also provide a recap of recent engagements, events and hot policy topics affecting the industry. 

Welcome to 2025! This month, our Chair Stuart Oag, outlines the SPF's key priorities and issues to tackle for the year. Our Industry Insight is by Alasdair Steele at Knight Frank who provides a helpful analysis of Scotland's current commercial market. Finally, the SPF team provides a summary of the top policy issues for the industry and a round-up of our latest events and engagements. 

This SPF voice highlights our year at a glance.

In this edition hear from our Chair, Stuart Oag reflecting on SPF's work this year and SPF team provides a brief policy analysis of key industry issues with a peak of what to look out for next year! 

Our November edition of Voice features an overview from our Chair on our latest engagements and policy work. This month, our Industry Insights are by legal experts Martin Devine on the Housing Bill and Jacqueline Cook on planning issues. Our SPF team provide an overview of pressing policy topics including Policy 22 - flooding, business rates, the building safety levy and more! 

Read our SPF Voice for October 2024 here. This edition features a recap of our SPF Annual Dinner, with a message from SPF Chair Stuart Oag's and BPF President, Jessica Hardman. Our SPF team delves into policy insights on Housing (Scotland) Bill, Building Safety Levy, Business Rates and our latest submission on PBSA: notice to end tenancy survey. 

Autumn is here! In our September edition of Voice hear from our Chair on our recent engagements including a lunch with the Deputy First Minister. Our Industry Insight this month is co-authored by planning experts, Winston Roberts and Gary McGovern from Pinsent Masons on the proposals for a Scottish Infrastructure Levy. Our SPF provide a breakdown of the key commitments in the Programme for Government and don't forget to check out what we've been up to in our events and committees round-up pages. 

In this refreshed edition of SPF Voice, hear from our Chair, Stuart Oag on changes to the political landscape this summer, alongside an article from Rhona Allison of Scottish Enterprise calling the industry to bid for grants towards advanced manufacturing facilities. This issue also covers policy insights from SPF team on current topical issues including the Housing Bill, Infrastructure Levy, Passivhaus and PBSA. We also provide a snapshot of SPF’s recent engagements and representation on your behalf to the government. Also, don't forget tickets for SPF Annual Dinner are selling out fast so if you haven’t already reserve your seats now!

In our Summer edition of Voice, Stuart Oag discusses his recent engagements as the new SPF Chair and our Industry Insight features Alan Cook who analyses the Tenancy of Shops (Scotland) Act from a landlord perspective. With the UK General Election fast approaching, the SPF team provide a manifesto breakdown, outlining the key promises for the industry as well as an update on housing and the new Infrastructure Levy Scotland proposal.  

This edition of SPF Voice marks the handover of SPF Chair from Maria Francké to Stuart Oag of Drum Property Group. In her last Chair's column she touches upon SPF's work, the recent change in the political context, and welcomes Stuart as Chair and Jonathan Guthrie of Robertson Group as Vice Chair. 

Industry insight features a political overview by Donald Anderson of Playfair Scotland and an overview of the Tenancy of Shops Act consultation by David Bartos of the Scottish Law Commission. The SPF team provides brief updates on the Ministerial and Cabinet changes, the Housing Bill and planning consultations.

This edition of Voice is a conference special featuring insights from our Chair, Maria Francké and later a round-up of the keynote speeches, panel sessions and snaps of the day from the SPF Annual Conference held in Glasgow.