New finance festival to bring £1 million boost for Edinburgh
Edinburgh will host some of the world’s top finance, tech and energy leaders during a new festival which is expected to bring £1 million to the city’s economy.
More than 2,500 delegates are due to attend at the first Edinburgh Finance Festival, running from September 15 to 26.
The two-week programme includes Scottish Renewables’ Onshore Wind Conference, the FinTech Scotland Festival and the tenth Ethical Finance Global summit.
Talks and roundtables will focus on green finance, sustainable growth and the energy transition.
Hotels, restaurants and venues will also benefit as the festival underlines Edinburgh’s growing role as a global centre for ethical and sustainable finance.
Organisers the Global Ethical Finance Initiative (GEFI) estimate that the event could generate around £1 million in gross value added (GVA) for the local economy as delegates stay, meet and spend in the capital.
GEFI works towards a fairer financial system for people and the planet, focusing on sustainability, tackling climate change and promoting social justice.
Omar Shaikh, managing director of the Global Ethical Finance Initiative, said: “Over the past 10 years, Ethical Finance Global has grown from a single event here in Edinburgh into a wider programme tackling some of the biggest challenges in finance today.
“This new expanded festival brings together leaders from finance, tech and energy to focus on climate change, social justice and economic uncertainty.
“Edinburgh’s standing as a centre for responsible finance is growing stronger, and this festival gives people the chance to share practical ideas and solutions.
“It shows how finance can help build a fairer economy and a greener future for all.
“With tensions rising around the world and the climate crisis worsening, this event is a vital opportunity for experts and policymakers to come together and push for real change.”
Delegates will attend the Ethical Finance Global summit on September 17 at Edinburgh’s Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa.
The summit seeks to explore whether the mounting challenges that the sector faces will force a retreat, trigger a recalibration or revitalise the industry.
The agenda includes discussions on the impact of US tariff policies under Donald Trump, global economic uncertainty, and how finance can support a fair transition to a low-carbon future.
Additional sessions will cover policy and regulation and making the case for multilateralism.
Speakers include Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, Chris Hayward, policy chairman at the City of London Corporation, Hans Stegeman, chief economist at Triodos Bank, and Secil Yildiz, executive vice president of the Development and Investment Bank of Türkiye.
Throughout the festival, there will be a series of in-depth, invitation-only workshops, alongside the SDG Hive at the University of Edinburgh Futures Institute.
The Hive will explore how finance can address global challenges, including regulatory frameworks and the feasibility of achieving net zero ambitions.
The Onshore Wind Conference takes place on September 16 and 17 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, with FinTech Scotland following on September 24.
Festival partners include the Scottish Government, Scottish Financial Enterprise, FinTech Scotland, and the Library of Mistakes.
There will also be other events from Aberdeen Investments, Christian Aid, City of London, the UK Department for Business & Trade, ICAS NatWest Group, Phoenix Group, Plan Vivo, and PRI.
The festival reinforces Scotland’s position as a global leader in finance, coinciding with significant anniversaries for the Chartered Banker Institute, the David Hume Institute, and Social Investment Scotland.
It will celebrate the past, present and future of the organisations, recognising their long-standing contributions to the sector and looking forward to their continued success.
Shona Matthews, head of regulation and policy at the Chartered Banker Institute, said: “We are delighted to see this inaugural Edinburgh Finance Festival take place in the city we call home.
“It is a global gathering that offers our members and supporters a unique chance to connect with other thought leaders, explore cutting-edge ideas, and help shape a more responsible and inclusive financial system.”
Sandy Begbie, chief executive of Scottish Financial Enterprise, said: “Scotland has a rich heritage in financial services stretching back more than 300 years.
“It’s fitting that our finance festival is being held in Edinburgh, where much of our financial services history was made.
“The festival offers a great chance for our members to network, take part in events, and connect with colleagues from around the world on a wide range of topics.”