First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will give the keynote address at the Federation’s annual conference in Glasgow on 25 October.
This means that a First Minister has attended four out of the last five annual SGF conferences. It is widely seen as significant achievement for the Federation given that Sturgeon is not known for attending any other single event on a repeat basis. Additionally, the fact that SGF has raised serious concerns about the direction of policy in key areas – such as deposit return – has not prevented the First Minister from accepting the invitation.
SGF Chief Executive Pete Cheema said: “Obviously we are delighted that the First Minister will attend conference. This is a very clear and tangible indicator of the high profile SGF currently has. There is no doubt we are seen by government as being the trusted, respected and valued voice of the sector and as providing a very credible leadership role across the industry.
“Our centenary conference in 2018 was a great success and having the First Minister on the programme for 2019 will ensure this is repeated.”
