Meet Our Speakers
Day 1 – Friday 11 Sept
Stuart Johnstone, Editor of the People’s Friend Magazine
Friday 11th Sept 10:15 – 11:15
Originally from southwest Scotland, Stuart moved to Dundee to study psychology, but always aspired to be a journalist. After graduating, he joined DC Thomson as a junior news reporter, later moving into feature writing before transitioning into magazines.
In 2023, he became only the 12th editor in the 157-year history of The People’s Friend. Now in his 26th year in journalism, Stuart finds magazine publishing both challenging and rewarding, enjoying the collaboration with a talented creative team to produce one of the UK’s most enduring titles. He is delighted to be our opening speaker, where he will share how The People’s Friend has evolved over the years and continues to remain relevant and popular with its readers.
The Maclean Brothers
Friday 11th Sept 11:30 – 12:30
Ewan, Jamie, and Lachlan Maclean are three Scottish brothers who grew up with a shared love of adventure. In 2019, they rowed over 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean – from the Canary Islands to Antigua – completing the crossing in 35 days. It was enough to break the previous speed record by nearly six days.
Drawing on 139 days and 9,750 miles at sea – rowing non-stop and unsupported from Peru to Australia – Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean share what kept them moving when conditions turned, morale dipped, and turning back wasn’t an option: how to find a mindset that holds under pressure, the small habits that keep a team together, and what happens when you anchor what you love to something bigger than yourself.
Leonie Bell, Director of V&A Dundee
Friday 11th Sept 13:30 – 14:30
Leonie Bell is the director of V&A Dundee, Scotland’s Design Museum. As Director, she leads the organisation from its spectacular home on Dundee’s reimagined waterfront and delivers the museum’s vision to inspire and empower through design and to champion design and designers. Leonie is responsible for ensuring that V&A Dundee continues to grow and evolve as a world-class design museum, for deepening the museum’s social and civic reach and for welcoming visitors from around the world. The museum’s unique architecture is animated through an ambitious and dynamic programme that generates joy and sparks curiosity in design as well as creating spaces and ways to explore, reflect and learn.
Leonie is an Honorary Professor of Design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee, a Royal Society of Edinburgh Fellow, a member of the Bonnetmakers Craft, one of the Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee and a member of the Policy Evidence Centre for Creative Industries Advisory Board.
(Image credit Grant Anderson)
Susan Morrison, Comedian & Evening Host – SWI’s Got Talent
Friday 11 Sept 20:00 – 23:00
Susan Morrison is almost old enough to be history. As a stand-up comedian, she’s been part of The Stand Comedy Club since it opened, but history is her first love. In recent years she has presented BBC Radio Scotland’s Time Travels and House of the Lion and written a history column for The Scotsman newspaper. Her enthusiasm for women’s history is boundless and she will be a fabulous evening host. Top tip. Don’t get trapped in a lift with her….
Day 2 – Saturday 12 Sept
Anna Campbell-Jones, Interior Designer
Saturday 12th Sept 10:15 – 11:15
Anna designs spaces, objects and ideas that help people feel more themselves. Based in Glasgow, she has spent decades working across interiors, television, product design and public speaking, always with a belief that good design is not about trends but about how we live and feel. Many people know her from Scotland’s Home of the Year, but her work stretches from restorative mental-health environments to small-batch sustainable products made here in Scotland.
She has always been drawn to stories, materials and meaning, whether that’s creating a calm, dignified place for someone in crisis, or turning recycled ocean plastic into a little bird that carries hope.
She speaks, teaches, writes and designs to encourage confidence and curiosity in the spaces we inhabit. Our surroundings express our identities, and with a little care and imagination, they can help us feel grounded, at home.
(Image credit Curse These Eyes)
Craft Experts Panel and Q&A
Saturday 12th Sept 14:15 – 15:00
Stay tuned for the exciting announcement of the Craft Experts Panel members for the second day of the 2026 Members’ Gathering.
Sarah Rankin, Professional Chef & MasterChef UK Finalist – ‘Saturday Live’ – cooking demonstration
Saturday 12 Sept 15:30 – 16:30
Sarah celebrates Scotland’s Larder, local suppliers and artisan producers in her food writing, broadcasting, chef demonstrations, private chef service and pop up collaborations.
Her two cookbooks; ‘Kith – seasonal, Scottish food for family and friends’ and ‘Feast’ – a collection of menus that bring joy,’ are available now in all good bookshops.
She is delighted to be hosting our ‘Saturday Live’ cookery demonstration this year, and says; ‘It is a joy to be performing a cookery demonstration to the Scottish Women’s Institutes Members’ Gathering — a place where stories, skills, and generations meet. To share food in this company feels like weaving warmth, tradition, and creativity into every dish, honouring the spirit of women who nurture both craft and community.”
Julia Bryce, Journalist, Broadcaster and Content Creator – ‘Saturday Live’ – cooking demonstration
Saturday 12th Sept 15:30 – 16:30
As former Head of Food and Drink at DC Thomson, Julia led coverage across major titles including The Press and Journal and The Courier. She has interviewed world-renowned chefs such as Gordon Ramsay, James Martin, Michel Roux Jr, Nadiya Hussain and Poppy O’Toole throughout her career.
Julia was named Food & Drink Writer of the Year at the 2021 Scottish Press Awards (and shortlisted again in 2023), and in 2024, she won Scottish Food and Drink Influencer of the Year at The Scotsman’s Scran Awards.
In 2024, she made her Netflix debut on Somebody Feed Phil (Season 7), showcasing Scotland’s culinary landscape to a global audience, and hosted the Glasgow date of Phil Rosenthal’s European tour.
Julia continues to spotlight Scotland’s most exciting food and drink stories through her freelance journalism, social platforms: @juliabryce92, brand collaborations and broadcast work – including her Sunday radio show on Original 106 from 1–5pm.
