Annual Conference 2026: Speakers
John McKendrick
Professor at Glasgow School for Business and Society, Glasgow Caledonian University
John McKendrickDay One, adult co-chair
Biography: John H McKendrick was appointed Commissioner for Fair Access (to higher education) by the Scottish Government in January 2023. He is also co-Director of the Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit in the Glasgow School for Business and Society at Glasgow Caledonian University. He is primarily concerned to inform the work of practitioners and campaigners beyond the academy who seek to tackle poverty in Scotland. He co-edited Poverty in Scotland 2021: Towards a 2030 Without Poverty? (CPAG) and has published many reports, briefings papers and addressed a wide range of Third sector and local government events on issues pertaining to the eradication and amelioration of poverty in Scotland.
He sits on the group of National Partners offering advice and support to local authorities and local health boards in relation to the preparation of their Local Child Poverty Action Reports. He is an external member of the Scottish Government’s Child Poverty Programme Board and Education Scotland’s Scottish Attainment Challenge Programme Board. He has also edited six collection of papers on play (including ‘Play and education in Scotland’ (Scottish Educational Review, 2019) and has just published Born to Play (co-edited with Tam Baillie, ex Children and Young People’s Commissioner).
He recently canvassed Head teachers opinions in a nationwide survey of the use and character of school grounds in Scotland (replicating an earlier study from 2004) and in the last few years has also explored issues relating to food insecurity and school meals, administering reported research that canvassed the opinions on school meals of 17,000 secondary school children in Scotland.
Byron
Young Person Advisor, Changing our World
ByronDay One, young person co-chair
My name is Byron and I’ve been a member of Children in Scotland since 2019. I’m a high-energy and curious person who loves understanding how things work and why they matter. My interests include gaming, designing, making, and exploring new ideas, especially in computing, design, and physics. I enjoy thinking outside the box, adapting to challenges, and learning new skills whenever I can. Outside of that, I love biking and good food – especially sushi and gyoza.
Dr. Judith Turbyne
Chief Executive, Children in Scotland
Dr. Judith TurbyneDay One, opening keynote
Biography: Dr. Judith Turbyne became Chief Executive of Children in Scotland in August 2021. She has spent most of her professional life working in and with the charity sector. For much of that time she worked in international development, with charities challenging global poverty and inequality. She worked in Latin America and the Caribbean for many years, in local frontline organisations and with multinational funders, before moving to Dublin to work as the CEO of Progressio Ireland.
Judith returned home to Scotland in 2013 as Head of Engagement with the Scottish Charity Regulator where she has had the pleasure of working with many charities across Scotland. Jude is the Chair of the Corra Foundation and a trustee with the Scotland Malawi Partnership.
She has a PhD from the University of Bath which looked at empowerment in development. Aside from her wonderful friends and family, the things that make her most happy are mountains, music, running, cricket and a good book.
Laura Anderson
Campaigner, Environmental Scientist, and Ethical Influencer
Laura AndersonDay One, morning keynote
What comes next? Creating change with confidence
Laura Anderson (@LessWasteLaura) brings her experience as an environmental campaigner to explore how positive change grows from creativity, collaboration and hope. Sharing stories from her work inspiring collective action, she highlights how imaginative approaches can empower us all to shape the world around us. This presentation will highlight the power of listening to children and young people, nurturing their ideas, and building communities where everyone can feel safe, healthy, supported and active, reminding us that change is not only possible, but ours to lead.
Biography: Laura Anderson is an award-winning climate activist, environmental scientist, and ethical influencer. Laura was named in The King’s Foundation’s 35 under 35 network, and was awarded the Scottish Influencer of the Year for 2024/5 for her work.
Her dedication to creating a more sustainable future has seen Laura achieve a degree in Geography and Environmental Science from the University of Dundee and a masters in Environmental Protection and Management from the University of Edinburgh. As part of her studies Laura spent a year at the University of Guelph, Canada, before setting off to complete her dissertation working on mangroves in Akumal, Mexico.
Laura has a passion for bringing younger voices into influential spaces, she sits on a variety of boards and advisory committees including Circular Communities Scotland, Cycling UK Scotland, and the Evangelical Alliance, and has a number of formal ambassador roles, including with Girlguiding and Keep Scotland Beautiful, and she is a United Nations Association Scotland Earth Ambassador.
Ahead of the Conference, we sat down with Laura to discuss climate education, overcoming “news fatigue” and the power of social media. Read the interview now.
Justina Murray
Chief Executive, Aberlour
Justina MurrayDay Two, adult co-chair
Justina joined Aberlour Children’s Charity as Chief Executive in October 2025. She is passionate about improving outcomes for children, young people and families, by ensuring their voices and experiences shape policy and practice, tackling poverty and injustice, and ensuring rights are recognised and upheld.
Prior to arriving at Aberlour, Justina was CEO of Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs from 2017-2025, a national charity supporting anyone concerned about someone else’s alcohol or drug use; and Chief Officer of South West Scotland Community Justice Authority from 2010-2017, a devolved public body tasked with working in partnership to reduce reoffending. This followed on from roles in community planning, public policy, equal employment opportunities and research in Scotland and New Zealand.
Justina has a PhD in social policy from the University of Glasgow, based on an exploratory study of models of empowerment in eight Scottish community development projects. She is a member of the Executive Governance Group at the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) at the University of Strathclyde, and an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services and Research at the University of Stirling.
Liam
Young Person Advisor, Changing our World
LiamDay Two, young person co-chair
My name’s Liam and I am going to be one of the co-chairs at this years Annual Conference! I have been a member of Changing our World since 2019 and I have had amazing opportunities such as being the UK’s Representative on the Eurochild children’s council from 2022-2024! In my spare time I like to go out with my friends and I am always at different scouting events! I am excited to be a co-chair because I am passionate about making sure children and young people’s voices are heard, respected and they are supported.
Fiona McKenzie
Founder and CEO at CentreStage Communities, OBE FRSA
Fiona McKenzieScott McCarroll
Community Development Coach, CentreStage Communities and Writer
Scott McCarrollEvery seed has the same potential to grow
Day Two, morning keynote
In this deeply personal talk, Scott shares his story in his own words – an honest journey through challenge, resilience and transformation.
Biography (Fiona): Fiona McKenzie OBE FRSA is a Scottish social entrepreneur and founder of CentreStage, a transformational arts-based charity in Kilmarnock. After 20 years as a music teacher, she left education to tackle social exclusion through creativity, founding CentreStage in 2006 on the belief that anyone—regardless of background—should have access to the arts and opportunity.
Under her leadership, CentreStage has grown into a nationally recognised model for community regeneration, culminating in Scotland’s largest community asset transfer at the former Kilmarnock Academy. The collaborative, connected CentreStage approach—centred on dignity, inclusion, and human potential—has changed thousands of lives.
Fiona was awarded an OBE in 2023, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), and holds an honorary doctorate from Glasgow Caledonian University. She continues to champion the power of people, place, and the arts to drive lasting social change.
Biography (Scott): Scott McCarroll is CentreStage’s Community Development Coach, a trauma counsellor, teacher and published author.
Bringing a powerful blend of professional expertise and lived experience, he supports individuals and communities with compassion, insight and unwavering hope.
Scott is deeply committed to helping people recognise their potential, regardless of their starting point, and to creating environments where growth and belonging can thrive.
Through his work, he uses his personal journey to inspire resilience, challenge perceptions and drive positive change across individuals, services and communities, encouraging others to reimagine what is possible for themselves and those they support.
Joanna Macdonald, National Chief Social Work Advisor
Joanna Macdonald, National Chief Social Work AdvisorDay Two, afternoon keynote
The Impact of GIRFEC over the last 20 Years – and the way forward
Marking 20 years of GIRFEC, Joanna Macdonald, CEO of the National Social Work Agency and National Chief Social Work Adviser examines how a bold policy ambition became a shared national approach to supporting children and families. Joanna reflects on GIRFEC’s role in driving early support, strengthening rights‑based practice and improving multi‑agency working, and outlines how national leadership will continue to champion its values to ensure consistent, effective implementation for every child.
Biography: Joanna Macdonald is Chief Executive of the National Social Work Agency and serves as the National Chief Social Work Adviser to the Scottish Government. She leads national work to strengthen social work leadership, learning and workforce support as part of the Scottish Government’s wider reform programme. Joanna has extensive experience across social work and social care, and public service reform and is committed to working in partnership with social workers, employers and partners to improve outcomes for people, families and communities.
