By Ashley Murphy

Nicola Sturgeon MSP will open the first day of Scotland’s 2025 Edinburgh Housing Festival

In a session looking at leadership, the former First Minister will be joined by the chair of the Scottish Housing Regulator, George Walker, to discuss and reflect on what separates a good leader from a great leader, how best to build teams and how to deal with the unexpected.

The event brings together housing professionals from across Scotland to gain and share learning, collaborate and build relationships, while discussing some of the current problems facing Scotland. Topics such as the housing emergency, net zero, and the action to tackle homelessness.

The former First Minister for Scotland was in power from 2014 to 2023. Since her resignation from the job she has been making headlines following allegations against her party in relation to finances, writing her new book, how she ran Scotland during the coronavirus And now, a very important attendee at an event which will highlight the broader issues in the housing crisis.

Shining a light on economic pressures, inequality and affordability, Nicola Sturgeon is no stranger to receiving accusations about the way in which the people of Scotland live and work. While she was in power prices for homes drove up at a record pace.

Callum Chomczuk, national director of CIH Scotland, said: “We have an incredible line-up of speakers for our 2025 Housing Festival, including the former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP. Her opening session with George Walker, chair of the Scottish Housing Regulator on leadership is a must attend for everyone in the sector.”

As the elite gathering takes place next March, today’s army of homeless people will be watching on with interest to see the outcome of this event.