The Scottish Government has announced the creation of a new Scottish Technology Council, which brings together industry leaders and academics to help maximise the economic benefits of Scotland’s multi-billion-pound tech sector.
The new Council will assist Scottish ministers in shaping policy, provide a crucial link between businesses and government, and promote Scottish tech companies on the international stage.
The tech sector is a major economic asset for Scotland, and the sector’s importance to the Scottish economy is only going to grow. The latest figures reveal that Scotland’s 6,800 information and communication technologies companies alone employed 67,800 staff in 2022, while the life sciences sector supported 46,900 jobs in the same year.
Speaking ahead of the council’s first meeting on Tuesday, Minister for Business and Employment, Richard Lochhead, said:
“Innovation is part of Scotland’s DNA. It is embedded in our culture and our society – and it has the potential to turbocharge our economy. From leading the industrial revolution to television, ultrasound and pioneering renewable technology, Scotland’s inventions have helped shape the world around us and transformed industries and lives.”
“Our goal is to help Scotland become a leading tech nation. To ensure the world recognises our pioneering spirit as not just a thing of the past, but as a vital part of our future and to create an environment where businesses and entrepreneurs can flourish, develop new technologies and drive meaningful change.”
Expert Membership
The council will be chaired by the Minister for Business and Employment and comprises 15 members with extensive experience across international markets, including health and life sciences, financial services, data and AI, advanced manufacturing and space sectors.
Members include:
- Prof. Qammer Abbasi, CEng, SMIEEE, FRSA, FEAI, FIET, FRSE, Professor of Applied Electromagnetics & Sensing with the James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow
- Dr. Caroline Barelle MBA, CEO, Elasmogan which specialises in Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Medical technology, Regenerative medicine
- Michael Boniface, CEO, Kythera AI
- Catriona Campbell MBE, AI Partner at Ernest Young and Chair of the Scottish AI Alliance
- Sherry Coutu CBE, Senior Independent Non-Executive Director, Raspberry Pi Trading
- Gerard Cunningham, Board Member, Stem, Inc. with 30 years’ experience in Silicon Valley
- Sheila Flavell CBE, President TechUK with 32 years operating within the international IT space
- Sheryl Newman, Founder and CEO, Appetite for Business and Board Member, ScotlandIS
- Prof. Peter Proud, CEO and Founder, Forrit
- Prof. Michael Rovatsos, Professor of Artificial Intelligence, University of Edinburgh
- Jim Rowan, Former CEO of Volvo, Former CEO of the Dyson Group and Former COO of Blackberry
- Prof. Ifor Samuel, Professor of Physics, University of St Andrews
- Dr Graham Spittle CBE FBCS FRSA Dean of Innovation, University of Edinburgh
- Prof. Melissa Terras (MBE FREng), Professor of Digital Cultural Heritage, University of Edinburgh
- Elizabeth Vega OBE, CEO, Informed Solutions
The establishment of the Scottish Technology Council represents a significant step in Scotland’s ambition to position itself as a leading technology nation, leveraging its historical legacy of innovation to drive future economic growth and international competitiveness.
Richard Lochhead emphasised the council’s strategic importance, stating:
“Our world is increasingly fast-paced and the council will provide valuable insight from vastly experienced leaders in their fields, who have built their careers at the cutting edge, as we strive to support the sector to deliver high value jobs for generations of Scots, boost international trade and increase our tax revenue to deliver vital public services.”
