THE BRIEF
Homes for Scotland (HFS), the trade body representing Scotland’s homebuilding industry, appointed Orbit Communications to prepare its Policy Manager for giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing & Planning Committee.
The objective was to provide strategic insight into the policy landscape, anticipate challenging lines of questioning and equip the client to deliver clear, confident evidence on the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Plan.
Our Approach
Preparation was rigorous, practical and tailored to the committee.
- Two senior account directors led the programme, covering research, training and pre-committee support.
- We analysed the committee’s previous scrutiny of the Climate Change Plan, recent reports and members’ public positions.
- This intelligence shaped likely lines of questioning and informed discussions with the committee clerk on the committee’s format.
- The training explored the political context, committee dynamics and individual MSPs’ interests, priorities and questioning styles.
- Practical mock evidence sessions replicated the committee environment, testing responses under pressure.
- Sessions were recorded and reviewed in real time, focusing on message delivery, presentation, confidence, tone and handling difficult questions.
- Final preparation included refresher briefings, intelligence on other witnesses, rehearsal and key messaging ahead of the hearing.
Outputs & Outcomes
Homes for Scotland reported that the training gave them the confidence and practical tools to perform effectively before the committee. They felt well prepared for the format, successfully communicated their key messages throughout a challenging evidence session, and benefited from our post-hearing debrief, which identified lessons and opportunities to strengthen future parliamentary engagement.
“Homes for Scotland has worked with Orbit Communications on many occasions as we prepare members of our executive team for evidence sessions at the Scottish Parliament.
“The training was exceptionally well tailored, anticipating difficult lines of inquiry around the Climate Change Plan while providing valuable insight into the backgrounds, interests and likely approach of committee members.
“Its strength was the practical focus. Rather than concentrating on communication theory, Orbit recreated the committee experience, helping us refine our presentation, delivery and handling of challenging questions.
“I would thoroughly recommend the Orbit team as an integral part of parliamentary committee preparation.”
