Welcome to the August 2024 edition of DIGIT’s Movers and Shakers!

Each month, our Movers and Shakers feature gives you the low-down on recent news in the Scottish tech ecosystem.

This August has been another bumper month, with many innovative Scots organisations and key players doing exciting things. Read on to find out what exactly’s been happening!

Recruitment

Tomoro Expands Leadership Following Investment

Tomoro, an AI scale-up that helps large enterprises unlock the value of AI through custom AI agents, has announced the hiring of Ami Islam as head of people based out of the Scottish firm’s Edinburgh office.

Before joining Tomoro, Islam was the architect of the rapid growth of data and AI consultancy Mudano, which grew at a rate of 100% a year for five consecutive years before being acquired by Accenture in 2020.

“We are focused on building one of Europe’s next great AI companies,” Ed Broussard, managing director at Tomoro, said.

“We have huge traction in the market so the focus is on hiring and growing the greatest AI team in the country. There is no one with better experience to make that happen than Ami.”

To learn more, click here.

Waracle Announces New CEO

Waracle, the Dundee-headquartered tech and digital developer, will welcome David Tuck, former group chief executive of digital transformation consultancy Kin + Carta, to the business in early September.

He succeeds chief executive Chris Martin, who has led the business since 2014. Martin, who worked to bring Tuck to Waracle, will remain with the firm and continue to be a significant shareholder.

Current CEO Chris Martin said: “David’s appointment demonstrates the ambition for Waracle to continue its growth to the next level.

“His experience in scale up and his track record in building teams who do great work, and enjoy themselves, makes him perfect for this role. He is pragmatic, hard-working, ambitious and likeable.”

To read more, click here.

Scottish Space Network Appoints COO

The Scottish Space Network, the ecosystem builder championing Scotland’s space industry, has appointed Ross Hamilton as chief operating officer (COO) to help drive sector investment and growth.

Hamilton began his career with Rolls-Royce plc in the late eighties, going on to work for JP Morgan and other Fortune 100 companies in London and New York.

He serves as founder and managing director of New York-based venture capital specialist Sustainable Alpha, chair of the New York GlobalScot advisory board, and over the last twenty five years has advised and invested in a number of businesses and startups across multiple industry sectors.

On his new role, Hamilton commented: “I’m thrilled to join the Scottish Space Network at such a pivotal time for the space sector in Scotland and its potential to achieve a leading position on the international stage.”

To discover more, click here.

Wordsmith Appoints General Counsel

Scottish startup Wordsmith AI, the privacy-first artificial intelligence-powered workspace for in-house legal teams, has announced the appointment of Lucy Tyrrell as general counsel.

Wordsmith has seen significant uptake across in-house legal teams since its recent launch. The platform, designed to be secure and safe to use with confidential data, helps legal professionals accelerate collaboration with the rest of the business.

Tyrrell will be based in London and will join the executive team at a key moment in the company’s growth trajectory.

Tyrrell joins Wordsmith from her role as head of legal (corporate) at FARFETCH, a leading global marketplace for the luxury fashion industry. Prior to that, Tyrrell was a senior associate in the corporate M&A team at DAC Beachcroft LLP in London.

Brightsolid Hires New Business Development Manager

Dundee-headquartered cloud services company Brightsolid has announced the appointment of Mike De Souza as business development manager, based out of its newly-opened Manchester office.

De Souza brings over 36 years of IT business development experience to the role, which will see him focusing on the development of customer-centric solutions and partnerships, primarily in the North West local authority, energy, and clean technology sectors.

Established over 25 years as part of DC Thomson & Co Ltd Group, Brightsolid is a leading managed hybrid cloud and cyber security services provider, with current customers including Dumfries and Galloway Council, IITAC, Sparrows, SSSC, and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Sword Group Announces New CISO

Sword Group has announced that Andrew Thom has been welcomed as the company’s new chief information security officer.

He brings 20 years of experience providing technology services to the energy industry. Prior to joining Sword he was the chief information security officer at Wood, and was responsible for the global security strategy and day-to-day running of the security function, including incident response and security culture and awareness.

Thom will be responsible for further strengthening our cybersecurity strategy, posture, and maturity across Sword Group including maintaining our accreditations in both ISO 27001 and
Cyber Essentials Plus.

“I am delighted to have joined the Sword team having been impressed by their professionalism, unwavering client commitment, and ongoing success for many years. I am looking forward to building relationships across Sword and with the industry to mature our security posture and enhance our cyber resilience” said Thom.

Beyond Blue Establishes Strategic Advisory Board

Beyond Blue, the consultancy which helps organisations tackle their most complex cybersecurity and resilience challenges, has established a Strategic Advisory Board.

The Board has been set up to advise and develop the Beyond Blue consulting team and to establish a ‘think tank’ function to contribute to community thinking and inform and support clients in an ever-shifting digital world.

Joining the organisation’s Board, Beyond Blue has selected a panel of experts, with Gaven Smith CB FREng, the former CTO for GCHQ, holding the position of chair. He is supported by Phil Packman ChCSP, the current head of cybersecurity architecture for easyJet, alongside Fiona Strens, the current director of the Centre for Defence & Security AI at the University of Lincoln.

The team is also further supported by technology industry veteran, Paul Taylor CBE FREng, a former technology director general in UK national security, who holds the position of overall company chair.

Burness Paull Appoints Energy Specialists

Burness Paull has further strengthened its employment team with the appointment of Claire Scott as a partner and Lisa Byars as a director.

The appointments come as the firm continues to see strong and growing demand for specialist advice linked to the increasing complexity of the employment law landscape.

Scott and Byars, who both return to Burness Paull having worked for the firm earlier in their careers, act for a broad national and international client base advising on UK employment law. Based in Aberdeen, they have particular expertise in the energy, infrastructure and financial services sectors.

“Claire and Lisa’s expertise sits at the intersection of where energy and employment matters meet, which means they are ideally placed to advise organisations on the employment law considerations of the transition to net zero,” said Mandy Laurie, head of employment at Burness Paull.

Interface Announces Strategic Board Members

Interface—which connects businesses with academic partners—has welcomed new members to its Strategic Board, from business and academic backgrounds, with a focus on supporting business-academic collaborations.

Professor Wayne Powell, principal and chief executive of Scotland’s Rural College, will succeed Professor Andrea Nolan, principal and vice-chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, who has been chair of the board since 2018.

Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne and Dr Alicia Greated have joined the 11-strong Board, along with Dr Andrea Taylor, from Edinburgh Innovations Ltd, which hosts Interface.

“I am absolutely delighted to welcome Professor Powell as our new Chair, along with the new board members, who bring a wealth of experience to help guide and shape Interface’s ambition to create meaningful impact for society and the Scottish economy,” said Amelia Whitelaw, Interface’s director.

Partnerships

CodeBase, OU Partner to Accelerate Startup Activity

CodeBase has partnered with The Open University in Scotland to drive co-learning opportunities, including the co-creation of educational content, and to accelerate startup and entrepreneurial activity.

As part of the tie-up, distance learning pioneer Open University, which is one of the UK’s largest universities and provider of flexible part-time undergraduate higher education in Scotland, will partner with CodeBase’s Techscaler initiative, the Scottish government’s tech startup support programme run by CodeBase.

Through the use of open learning, the partnership will make content and learning accessible at any time, while there will also be a focus on diversity and inclusion.

“We are excited to team up with The Open University around world-class learning and innovation, and ultimately to drive entrepreneurial and startup activity,” said Yasmin Sulaiman, SVP ecosystems at CodeBase.

To learn more, click here.

SP Energy Taps Waracle for DT Partnership

Scottish technology services company Waracle has agreed a new multi-million-pound contract with SP Energy Networks that aims to help the electricity network operator accelerate its digital technology programme.

SP Energy Networks—part of the ScottishPower group—owns and maintains the electricity network in central and southern Scotland alongside Merseyside and North Wales, which sees the company serve more than 3.5 million homes and businesses across the United Kingdom.

Waracle has been tasked with designing and developing a digital customer experience that will provide a simple, easy-to-use, automated self-serve solution to meet the growing demand from both households and businesses for network connections for EV chargers, solar panels, and heat pumps.

To read more, click here.

Scots Partnership for Construction Starlink

UK construction firm McLaren Construction has partnered with connectivity and network specialist Clarus Networks Group to deploy Starlink satellite connectivity to construction sites across the UK.

The partnership aims to deliver high-speed internet connectivity throughout the UK with minimal setup.

Within 12 months, Starlink satellite technology has now become the primary connectivity method for most UK McLaren construction projects.

Clarus Networks Group’s installation offers managed internet connectivity that can support McLaren’s construction operations, as well as innovative technology like real-time monitoring and AI.

“Our partnership with McLaren marks a significant milestone in shaping the construction site of the future,” said Derek Phillips, managing director at The Clarus Network Group.

To discover more, click here.

AND Digital, Heineken Partner for DT Project

Heineken UK has partnered with tech consultancy AND Digital to launch HeiDeal – a new data-driven platform that will, according to the firm, “transform how Heineken’s sales teams build valuable contracts, providing customers with a smoother experience and more tailored deals.”

HeiDeal models multiple deal scenarios that optimise margin, profitability and product mix. It will make it simpler for Heineken’s teams to supply pubs and venues with Heineken products.

“Data and digital skills development sit at the heart of our business, and our partnership with Heineken UK demonstrates why these two strands are so important,” said Fiona Burton, club executive at AND Digital.

To learn more, click here.

HVS and Guangzhou Hybot Technology Co. Partner

Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS), cited as the UK’s first hydrogen fuel cell truck OEM, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Guangzhou Hybot Technology Co., Ltd. to promote the application of hydrogen fuel cell trucks in the UK and EU markets, developing hydrogen fuel cell trucks suitable for various transportation scenarios.

Both companies will leverage their strengths to co-develop hydrogen-powered vehicles and optimise supply chain networks. The collaboration will focus on delivering high-performance, zero-emission commercial vehicles, enhancing safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

“We are thrilled to embark on this journey with Hybot,” said Jawad Khursheed, CEO of HVS. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to lead in the introduction of zero-emission fuel cell trucks.”

TFAS Wealth Partners With Aveni

Edinburgh-headquartered Aveni.ai, the AI fintech business, has been selected by independent financial advisory firm TFAS Wealth to implement AI solutions across its expanding service offering in the UK.

TFAS Wealth offers remote financial advice across the UK. The investment in Aveni’s AI technology has been prioritised to help support quality assurance and compliance capabilities, as well as create significant efficiencies for advisers.

The adoption of the latest advances in generative AI, NLP, and large language models through tools which Aveni has developed specifically for financial services will allow TFAS Wealth to expand its highly-scalable remote advice platform, whilst providing unparalleled risk management and oversight.

Jeff Lange, group CEO TFAS Enterprises, SMF1 TFAS Wealth, commented: “We are thrilled to partner with Aveni as we continue to challenge the status quo within the financial services market by embracing innovative, value-adding technology.”

More Firms Pledge to Pathways Forward

Pathways Forward has announced its second cohort of Pledge partners, with Converge, The Open University in Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, SIS Ventures, Social Investment Scotland, South of Scotland Enterprise, and the University of Strathclyde committing to actionable steps aligned with the principles set out in the Pathways report.

Pathways Forward’s Ana Stewart said: “We have been overwhelmed by the level of support for Pathways from across the corporate, public, and not-for-profit sectors, and the Pledge partnership centres on firm commitments to effect change across each organisation.

“I would like to personally thank all of our Pledge partners to date, and we look forward to more like-minded organisations joining the fold.”

To read more, click here.

Expansions

Iconsys Opens First Scots Office

Iconsys, the provider and systems integrator of power and automation solutions, has opened its first Scottish office in Lanarkshire.

The move to open an office at the Regus Eurocentral site, which has been made in a bid to both increase market share in Scotland and attract new engineers, follows a record year for the firm.

Iconsys, whose headquarters is in Telford in Shropshire, England, saw a turnover of around £14.5m by the end of the 2024 financial year. It had a £5 million increase in sales thanks to numerous new contract wins in industries including energy, maritime, transportation, and consumer goods, among others.

Managing director of Iconsys, Nick Darrall, said: “Our Scottish office, which is ideally located between Edinburgh and Glasgow, offers greater flexibility for our Northern clients and allows for a more engaging experience for our existing staff living in and around Lanarkshire.”

To discover more, click here.

Aussie FinTech Expands to Glasgow

A subsidiary of Australian fintech HALO Technologies, HALO Invest, has announced its intention to set up a new operations and development centre in Glasgow.

The move will create more than 60 jobs over the next two years, the company said.

Douglas Boyce, formerly of Interactive Investor and FNZ, has been appointed CEO of HALO Invest, which aims to become a leading provider of financial services and technology solutions in the UK.

The project is expected to cost in the region of £8 million and is being supported by £800,000 of grant funding as a contribution from Scottish Enterprise.

“We had the opportunity to locate anywhere in the UK, but Glasgow demonstrated itself as the ideal city for us to base ourselves with its well-established mix of financial services and fintech talent,” Boyce said.

To learn more, click here.

Zumo Signs Sustainability Declaration Amid Expansion

Zumo, the B2B digital assets infrastructure, has signed the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Declaration, reinforcing its commitment to a greener financial services industry as it extends its reach further into the region.

The Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Declaration is a voluntary membership-based initiative launched by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) in 2019 with support from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the Central Bank of the UAE, and the Securities and Commodities Authority.

It aims to establish a healthy sustainable finance industry in line with the UAE’s Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative, which underpins the country’s ambition to become a successful model for the new green economy. The Declaration was signed by an initial group of 25 public and private sector entities.

Zumo will now collaborate with other participants to help create a framework for fostering and integrating green and sustainable investments, and provide expertise and insights gained from the company’s pioneering work in the sustainability sphere.

DataKirk Announces Two New Event Offerings

DataKirk is expanding its legacy with the announcement of two new events focused in Scotland’s diverse talent pool, with tickets for their inauguaral Scottish Ethnic Minority Talent Summit and Festival 2024 now on sale.

The data-driven advocate for diversity and inclusion is calling for partners, sponsors and exhibitors to engage in the event, an evolution on the company’s past two Scottish Black Talent Summits.

The SEM Summit 2024 promises to be a talent-driven event, aiming to unite local employers, academic institutions, corporate organisations, non-profits, and government agencies to share ideas and best practices for building and managing a thriving multicultural workforce in Scotland.

With the theme Uniting Communities, Empowering Talent, SEM Fest is set to offer a vibrant programme of live musical performances, interactive activities, and a showcase of arts, dance, and cultural experiences. The event aims to be a fun-filled day that the entire family can enjoy, while also serving as a meaningful celebration of the cultural fabric that strengthens Scotland’s communities.

To read more, click here.

Awards

WES Unveils 2024 Awards Finalists

The shortlist for the Women’s Enterprise Scotland Awards 2024 has been unveiled.

The winners will be announced at the voco Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow on 3 October, with Sheila Flavell CBE, chief operating officer and executive board director at FDM Group serving as this year’s keynote speaker at the event.

“Our Awards recognise the considerable contribution women-led businesses make to Scotland’s economy,” Carolyn Currie, chief executive at WES.

She added: “It is our opportunity to come together and celebrate success, as well as to provide visible role models for the women and girls who follow.”

To discover more, click here.

Later Life Planning Competition Winners

Doquit Technologies LrD and Planda AI have won the Smart Data Foundry and FinTech Scotland UK Fintech Challenge, designed to encourage data-led innovation and accelerate the development of products to assist with Later Life financial planning.

Each company was awarded a prize of £45,000 to develop their ideas. Doqit Technologies developed an app to help people manage their life-admin more easily, and Planda AI won for their mission to increase financial wellbeing.

Both companies were among six finalists which were given a chance to improve their financial solutions and products with synthetic data from Smart Data Foundry, the Edinburgh-based data innovation organisation.

HVS Achieves Greenly Gold Medal

HVS (Hydrogen Vehicle Systems), which aims to disrupt the commercial vehicle industry by being an early mover with the most advanced, all–new zero emission HGV, has been awarded the prestigious Gold Medal by Greenly.

This recognition from a global leader in digital carbon footprint analysis and corporate climate performance evaluation puts HVS among the top 5% of companies worldwide for their proactive and innovative approach to climate action and environmental responsibility.

The Gold Medal represents the culmination of HVS’ year-long commitment to sustainability, during which they have reached several groundbreaking milestones. Last year, HVS received the Silver Medal, putting them in the top 10% of businesses actively addressing their carbon footprint.

“The Gold Medal is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and innovative spirit of the entire HVS team. It underscores our belief that you cannot control what you don’t measure—carbon accounting is a crucial part of our sustainability strategy,” said HVS’ CEO, Jawad Khursheed.

SWIB Awards Returns After 5 Years

The Scottish Women in Business (SWIB) Awards are set to return to Glasgow after a five-year hiatus, with finalists from across the country having been announced ahead of next month’s event.

The revamped event will celebrate women in business across Scotland, as well as recognise the work of supporters of Scottish women in business, and will be held at The Corinthian Club in Glasgow on September 6, marking the first awards held by SWIB since before the Covid-19 pandemic.

SWIB president Sarah Heaney said: “We’re delighted to be back hosting our first awards since before lockdown… and it’s been wonderful to see the volume and quality of entries this year.”

To learn more, click here.