Women in Public Affairs Scotland: Women and the Economy

Overview:

Date: Tuesday 28 October 12:00 - 14:00

Venue: Phoenix Group, Standard Life, 30 Lothian Rd, Edinburgh EH1 2DH

Join WiPA Scotland for an afternoon of networking and conversation about Scotland’s economy and the role of women with Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, Kate Forbes, and Gail Izat, Managing Director of Workplace and Retail Intermediary, Standard Life (part of Phoenix Group)

The discussion will focus on Scotland’s economic prosperity, what role women play in the economy, and to hear about the experiences of women in politics and in leadership.

Chaired by Jodie Hedley, Weber Shandwick, and Grace O’Keeffe, Asda.

This event is open to all WiPA supporters and anyone working in public affairs and policy.

If you have any accessibility requirements please get in touch at wipascotland@gmail.com. Refreshments will be provided.

If this event is sold out, please email wipascotland@gmail.com with your name, organisation, and job title to be added to the waiting list.

About the panel:

Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic and MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch

Kate Forbes is the Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency (which includes Dingwall, the Black Isle and the Great Glen). She is the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for the Economy and Gaelic in the Scottish Government.

Kate is from Dingwall, although she spent part of her upbringing in Glasgow and India. Until she was elected as MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Kate was employed as an accountant in the banking industry. Prior to that she studied History at the Universities of Cambridge and Edinburgh.

First elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2016, she was re-elected as the constituency MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch in May 2021.

Kate first joined the Government in June 2018, as Minister for Public Finance and Digital Economy. She subsequently served as Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy from February 2020 to March 2023.

Gail Izat, Managing Director of Workplace and Retail Intermediary, Standard Life (part of Phoenix Group)

Gail joined Standard Life in June 2010 and has fulfilled a number of roles across the company. Most recently she was the CEO of Standard life, Germany and Austria. In January, Gail was appointed as the Workplace Pensions Director for Standard Life Assurance.

Jodie Hedley - Head of Public Affairs at Weber Shandwick Scotland and WiPA Scotland Co- Chair

Jodie Hedley is Head of Public Affairs at Weber Shandwick Scotland, providing strategic policy advice and developing and delivering public affairs campaigns for a range of retail, manufacturing, energy and technology clients.

She joined Weber Shandwick in 2017, following a public affairs career in both consultancy and in-house roles. Jodie has been involved with Women in Public Affairs since its launch in Scotland in 2019 and has served as Co-Chair since November 2023.

Grace O’Keeffe – Corporate Affairs Manager at Asda and WiPA Scotland Communications Co-Lead

Grace O’Keeffe is the Corporate Affairs Manager for Scotland at Asda, where she leads regional communications, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement. Prior to joining Asda in September 2025, Grace built her career in public affairs and corporate communications at Openreach and the Scottish Parliament, gaining experience across both the private and public sectors with a strong focus on policy, reputation management, and strategic advocacy in Scotland. Grace joined WIPA Scotland in 2020, and later became a committee member in 2023 where she currently sits as Communications Co-Lead.