Executive Team workshop details: FOI release

Information requested

1. The job title/role and grade of the individual who authorised the away day/team-building event held at a coastal venue in Fife for eight senior officials, reported to have cost approximately £10,000.

2. An itemised breakdown of that £10,000 cost, including venue hire, catering, facilitator/consultancy fees, and any travel or accommodation.

3. The number of attendees, their grades/job titles, and the directorate responsible for organising and funding the event.

4. Details of any equivalent team-building or away-day events for Senior Civil Service staff held in the 12 months prior to this one, and any planned for the 12 months following, including dates, venues, attendee numbers and costs.

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested.

The answer to your question(s):

1. Board Secretary, Deputy Director authorised the away day/team-building event held at a coastal venue in Fife

2. Travel costs for 4 SG Officials £37.60

Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

Itemised breakdown of the costs, including venue hire, catering facilitator/consultancy fees have previously been released under FOI.

Executive Team workshop costs: FOI release - gov.scot

3. The number of attendees, their grades/job titles, and the directorate responsible for organising and funding the event:

10 Attendees

• Permanent Secretary
• Director General Communities and External affairs
• Director General Corporate
• Director General Economy
• Director General Education and Justice
• Director General Exchequer, Strategy and Performance
• Director General Health and Social Care
• Director General Net Zero
• Principle Private Secretary, Deputy Director
• Board Secretary, Deputy Director

Executive Team Strategic Governance Office division within the Financial Management Directorate was responsible for organising and funding the event.

4. Details of Senior Civil Service (SCS) events held in the 12 months before and after 21 April 2026, including dates, venues, attendance figures and associated costs

Summary

July to September 2025: Four events (same agenda and speakers duplicated across all 4 events to a different audience of SCS), 120 attendees in total, delivered in Scottish Government venues with no external venue hire costs.

• 21 January 2026: Two sessions at Dovecot Studios, 172 attendees, cost £1,131.48.
• 3 June 2026: Two sessions at Dovecot Studios, 220 attendees, cost £1,871.10.
• October 2026 (planned): Two sessions at Dovecot Studios, estimated attendance 250-300, estimated cost approximately £1,400.

Date	Event	Venue	Attendance	Cost
15 July 2025	SCS Event	St Andrew's House, Edinburgh	40	No external venue hire cost
24 July 2025	SCS Event	St Andrew's House, Edinburgh	37	No external venue hire cost
5 August 2025	SCS Event	Atlantic Quay, Glasgow	21	No external venue hire cost
17 September 2025	SCS Event	Victoria Quay, Edinburgh	22	No external venue hire cost
21 January 2026	SCS Event (two sessions)	Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh	172	£1,131.48
3 June 2026	SCS Event (two sessions)	Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh	220	£1,871.10
October 2026 (planned)	SCS Event (two sessions)	Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh	Estimated 250-300	Estimated £1,400

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