Understanding Scotland Economy Tracker November 2025
Watch the recording of our November 2025 Understanding Scotland Economy briefing with Shan Saba from Brightworks and Catherine McWilliam from the Institute of Directors
This breakfast briefing on the latest quarterly survey of over 2000 people in Scotland from the David Hume Institute in partnership with the Diffley Partnership. The event was kindly hosted by The Royal Bank of Scotland.
We heard the latest insights from new data collected in the first week of November 2025 from Scott Edgar of the Diffley Partnership. The survey tracks economic confidence and buying intentions over time, as well as helping us to understand and monitor economic attitudes and public opinion.
There will be reflections from Catherine McWilliam Director, Institute of Directors Scoltand and Shan Saba, Director of Brightworks, Scoltand's leading recruitment agency.
About the speakers:
Scott Edgar, Senior Research Manager, The Diffley Partnership
Scott joined the Diffley Partnership following previous roles in social research in the Electoral Commission and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Since joining the business he has managed a wide range of research projects including two of Diffley Partnership’s regular quarterly surveys in Understanding Scotland and Understanding Business. Scott has significant expertise in statistical data analysis, research design, management of research projects and communication and has worked on several high profile and high impact projects. He has a degree in Political Research from the University of Strathclyde.
Shan Saba, Director Brightwork Staffline
Shan is Director of Scotland’s largest recruitment agency, Brightwork Staffline as well as a regular contributor on BBC Scotland on topics ranging from recruitment, workplace changes, the future world of work and diversity related topics. He is also a Board Member of Moray Chamber of Commerce and a Founder Scotland Against Modern Slavery. He also finds the time to be a Trustee at Refugee Sanctuary Scotland and a Member University of Glasgow Court.
Catherine McWillian, Director, Institute of Directors Scotland
Catherine grew up on a dairy farm in the south west of Scotland. She joined IOD Scotland in October 2021, after a decade of experience working win small businesses and the third sector. She leads IOD's work in Scotland and is passionate about promoting good governance and diverse leadership.
Understanding Scotland Economy Tracker - August 2025 Insights
Catch up with our latest Understanding Scotland Economy Tracker and hear how the insights compare with those from people’s shopping baskets
Recorded 27th August 2025
Catch up with the August 2025 insights from the Understanding Scotland Economy Tracker, our quarterly survey of over 2000 people in Scotland commissioned by the David Hume Institute working with the Diffley Partnership.
The insights are from new data collected in the first week of August 2025 and the reflectors focus on the changes in consumer behaviour.
Scott Edgar, from the Diffley Partnership, presented the latest findings which track economic confidence and buying intentions over time, as well as helping us to understand and monitor economic attitudes and public opinion.
Following Scott we heard reflections on the new data from Lesley Ann Gray, Numerator’s Strategic Insight Director for Scotland's Food and Drink Industry and David Eiser, Director of Analysis, Research and Investigations of Consumer Scotland before questions from the audience. The event was kindly supported by The Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland (ICAS).
About the speakers:
Scott Edgar, Senior Research Manager, The Diffley Partnership
Scott joined the Diffley Partnership following previous roles in social research in the Electoral Commission and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Since joining the business he has managed a wide range of research projects including two of Diffley Partnership’s regular quarterly surveys in Understanding Scotland and Understanding Business. Scott has significant expertise in statistical data analysis, research design, management of research projects and communication and has worked on several high profile and high impact projects. He has a degree in Political Research from the University of Strathclyde.
Lesley Ann Gray, Strategic Insight Director for the Food and Drink Industry, Numerator
Lesley Ann is Strategic Insight Director for Scotland for Worldpanel by Numerator who provide brands and retailers with a unique, 360-degree understanding of consumer behaviour around the world. Lesley Ann works with companies of all sizes, including the public sector, retailers and academics. She uses changing consumer behaviours, the impact of macro factors and analysis of category dynamics to help companies grow and feeds directly into their commercial and marketing strategies.
David Eiser, Director of Analysis, Research and Investigations, Consumer Scotland
David is Director of Research, Analysis and Investigations at Consumer Scotland, the statutory and independent consumer advocacy organisation for Scotland. David oversees the organisation’s research into consumer attitudes, behaviours and harms, and its analysis of the impact on consumers of policy and technological change. Previously David was a Deputy Director at the Fraser of Allander Institute. During this time he acted as adviser to the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee, and was a Commissioner on the Scottish Government Poverty and Inequality Commission.
The event was supported by The Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland (ICAS)