Recruitment

The Data Lab

Brian Hills was announced as the new CEO of The Data Lab, Scotland’s innovation centre for data and AI in April.

He was most recently interim CEO following the departure of Gillian Docherty OBE in January this year, who left the organisation to take up the role of Chief Commercial Officer at Strathclyde University.

Docherty announced that she was stepping down in November 2021 after holding her position at The Data Lab for the last six years. Hills stepped in to take responsibility for leading the 50+ strong team.

Hills has worked at The Data Lab for the last seven years in a variety of roles including deputy CEO and head of service design.

Commenting on his new role, Hills said: “AI and data science are at a very interesting juncture; organisations understand that they could massively gain from their execution, however, at the same time we are at the precipice of a data skills cliff.

“This provides The Data Lab with a unique opportunity to grow our community that brings together organisations, data talent, academia and suppliers. I relish the opportunity to scale our impact in Scotland and beyond.

“Working closely with the team, I will continue to build on the success we have already created and continue to push for a data powered future.”

In his new role, he will be continuing the responsibility for leading the innovation centre’s team, as well as driving the growth of AI and data science skills across the academic and business community in Scotland.

Les Bayne, Chair of The Data Lab, added: “Brian’s passion for supporting organisations to realise the power that data and AI can have is second to none.

“He has been an integral figure in the evolution of The Data Lab and its impact in Scotland, and is someone that brings not only technical insight but a considered approach to leadership.

“His appointment to the CEO role is much deserved and I look forward to working closely with him as we build our plans to become one of the most impactful data communities in the world.”

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Clark

Scottish PR, design and digital agency, Clark, has continued its growth journey by increasing its headcount and client base since the turn of the year.

In the last month, the agency has welcomed four new members of staff across Edinburgh and Glasgow – where it has recently opened a new office. In March, Janice Macgregor joined as associate director, from her role as head of communications for Salmon Scotland.

A seasoned communications manager, Macgregor also spent more than six years at VisitScotland and within agencies in Scotland and Spain. She joins Clark’s management team and will provide senior counsel to clients with an international footprint, such as Seafood Scotland and Moore Global.

Other March hires include Murray Glen who has joined the award-winning agency as an account manager based in Glasgow, as well as account executives Louise Thompson and Sophie Lynch.

Clark has boosted its client roster by 15% in the first three months of 2022. Wins have included the accountancy network Moore Global, social enterprise The Wise Group, product and software engineering company xDesign, Scotland’s largest company creation programme for the university sector Converge, and market insight platform for the food and drink sector, The Knowledge Bank.

Lesley Brydon, managing director of Clark, said: “The value that organisations place on communications has never been as strong as it is now. Our continued growth has only been possible through the quality of the work we deliver for our clients and the skill of the team. Janice’s appointment alongside the other new team members demonstrates our commitment to offer our clients access to the best people in the industry.

“We have built the agency, which started 10 years ago this week, on a foundation of partnership and we will remain focused on delivering insightful work to the highest service levels.

“Creating an environment where the team can thrive and continually develop will remain a focus for us, as will ensuring they are properly rewarded for their efforts, sharing in our success every step of the way.”

ePOS Hybrid

Alliance-building expert Alastair Hutt has been appointed as Head of Partnerships with ePOS Hybrid, a SAAS & fintech provider that is changing the game for the hospitality industry.

The former Head of Partnerships and Innovation Management with RBS and NatWest helped build some of the most successful alliances in the financial industry during a 40-year career which saw him develop partnerships with Direct Line, Worldpay, DHL and Regus, as well as working with exciting fintech companies such as CrowdCube, iwoca & FundingCircle.

Commenting on his new role, Hutt said: “Forming successful partnerships can be the springboard for ambitious companies like ePOS Hybrid.

“My role is to identify those potential partnerships, bring both parties together and to manage the alliance to elevate our businesses, product offering and to ultimately deliver mutual business growth.

“I am delighted to have joined this forward-thinking company as it prepares to roll out exciting new tech internationally, which will be the catalyst to introducing a new cohort of business partners to ePOS Hybrid.”

Hutt’s new role follows a spell as a Non-Executive Director with ePOS Hybrid, which convinced him to take on a bigger role with the fast-expanding firm.

He added: “As a Non-Executive Director at board level no matter how much you try to delve in, it’s hard to really get a strong feeling of what is going on day-to-day.

“Part of taking up this role was to get much closer to the business and to understand more about where it is going and the potential, which is huge.

“Bhas’s ambition for the company and what he wants to achieve in terms of hypergrowth and expansion abroad is pretty amazing and having worked with him over the last few years I’ve got lots of confidence that he will succeed.”

Andrew Gibbon, Head of Growth at ePOS Hybrid, said: “Alastair’s invaluable experience in business growth, product development and partnerships will be a huge asset in the launch of our new API, which will play a central role in our aggressive growth strategy.”

Celestia UK

Celestia UK has announced that Dr Carol Marsh OBE, CEng FIET, Chair of the IET Council and of the Engineering Policy Group Scotland, has joined the business as its new Head of Digital Systems.

Marsh joins Celestia UK from Leonardo, where she held various senior roles and most recently was Deputy Head of Electronics Engineering.

She will expand the digital systems capabilities for satcoms, signal processing algorithms and distributed platforms which augment Celestia UK’s RF and antenna expertise.

She brings more than 30 years of industrial experience at senior engineering levels including Senior Design Engineer for GEC Marconi Avionics, becoming their first engineer to produce a design using an FPGA.

She went on to hold principal digital design and FPGA engineer roles at BAE Systems and ECS Technology, respectively.

Malachy Devlin, CEO of Celestia UK says: “We are indeed fortunate that one of the country’s most experienced, award-winning women engineers with so much knowledge has joined our business.

“Carol brings a wealth of expertise in creating advanced architectures and driving technology strategy for mission-critical systems, alongside extensive managerial experience, which will continue to expedite our growth and technical success,” he says.

Commenting on her role, Marsh said: “The Celestia UK team is working on really exciting innovative technology that is creating new options for the satcom marketplace, and I am very excited to be getting involved in the design and ultimately the production processes at such an important juncture.

“For me, it’s the chance to get back to engineering development as well as be involved in the space industry which here in Scotland is growing faster than anywhere else in the UK.

“I’m looking forward to being able to put all the experience I’ve gained in the field to help Celestia UK achieve its aims, as well as continuing to promote engineering, STEM and women engineers.”

The University of Edinburgh

Following the current Director Professor Lesley McAra’s end of term in spring 2022, the University of Edinburgh has appointed Professor Chris Speed to lead the institute.

Speed is currently EFI’s Director of Innovation and Chair of Design Informatics at the University of Edinburgh.

He has been involved in Edinburgh Futures Institute since it’s conception and has contributed to the creative direction of the Institute through the £7.4m Creative Informatics R&D Partnership, one of the nine AHRC funded Creative Industries Clusters in the UK.

In 2020 Speed was appointed Director of Innovation for EFI, and has helped to develop EFI’s principles and partnerships toward a co-creative, ethical, and challenge-led culture for knowledge exchange and enterprise.

Commenting on the new Director role, Speed said: “I am delighted to accept this offer and looking forward to working with everyone involved – EFI staff and our wider community and right across the University of Edinburgh and with our partners – existing and potential!

“EFI is among the most important projects within the University to signal a new direction in how we teach and research, and work with businesses and communities across the region and the world.

“My deep thanks and appreciation to Lesley who has been, and continues to be, a terrific Director, an inspired collaborator and a champion of all the things we are doing at the Futures Institute.”

With Professor McAra’s term of service ending in the spring the new appointment will provide time for transition and handover to the new Director.

She will continue her role as Assistant Principal Community Relations for the University.

On the new appointment, she said: “I am delighted that my successor will be Professor Chris Speed. The ambition is for EFI to be a force for positive change in the University – and in the world.

“Chris has been a vital force in EFI’s development to date and I know his drive, imagination and energy will take us successfully into the next exciting phase of our work.”

Professor Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University commented: “The Edinburgh Futures Institute is a key investment for the University of Edinburgh and our future. It is an integral part of our commitment to the local communities in which we operate and for our place in the world.

“Recognising that the biggest challenges facing society are complex and multi-layered, and that insight and innovation often comes from bringing together expertise across different disciplines, EFI is creating a new environment for learning, teaching, research and engagement.

“It is doing so side-by-side with communities, business and industry and governments. My thanks to Professor McAra for her leadership and I welcome Professor Speed as the Institute’s newly appointed Director.”

Smart Data Foundry

New Smart Data Foundry CEO Frank Gauld will drive the strategic direction of the organisation tasked with spearheading safe data sharing in order to tackle societal, economic, and environmental challenges.

His engagement comes on the back of another key appointment, Dame Julia Unwin, as Chair and the recent major rebrand to Smart Data Foundry to better reflect the organisation’s purpose.

Gauld, originally a University of Edinburgh graduate, has held several senior roles within NCR – the most recent leading the development of the company’s digital cloud banking platform from its base in Atlanta.

His appointment coincides with the recent publication of the FinTech Scotland 10-year Research and Innovation roadmap that sets out the agenda for change to deliver against the recommendations from the Kalifa Review.

Commenting on his new role, Frank said: “This role provides the opportunity to improve people’s lives through the application of technology, innovation and financial services – this ambition leverages my experience with a wonderful mission which is why I was attracted to the position.

“I look forward to driving systemic change to how consumer data can be more widely shared to help solve some of society’s greatest challenges.”

Dame Julia Unwin added: “Frank is a natural fit for Smart Data Foundry, bringing many years of global technology and financial services experience to the role, coupled with a passion for data-led innovation. Frank’s experience will help develop the already strong multi-disciplinary skillset within the existing team.”

Frank will replace the current interim CEO, Kevin Collins, who has successfully handled the startup phase of Smart Data Foundry.

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Royal London

The UK’s largest mutual life, pensions and investment company Royal London has expanded its senior brand and marketing team with the appointment of Anneli Ritari-Stewart to the role of Head of Digital Marketing.

With more than 20 years of agency, leadership and digital experience, Anneli’s role will focus on leading digital marketing transformation, governing the digital estate and overseeing product ownership of the Royallondon.com.

Anneli, who was previously Managing Director of iProspect in Edinburgh, joined Royal London from managed learning business Andragogy where she held the position of Acting Managing Director. Anneli now moves into the role of Non-Executive Director of Andragogy.

Anneli was also appointed deputy chair of the Data and Marketing Association (DMA) Scotland’s council in April, where she will help deliver the organisation’s strategy to develop digital, data and creative talent in Scotland.

Commenting on her appointment with Royal London, Anneli said: “I’m passionate about people, digital and driving business performance. The role offered by Royal London blends all of that.

“I’m excited to take on the role of Head of Digital Marketing to support Royal London’s digital transformation agenda, deliver digital marketing outcomes and help build capabilities for the future.”

Susie Logan, CMO of Royal London, added: “We have developed an ambitious brand and marketing strategy. We are now focusing on investing in technologies and building capabilities that will help us realise that ambition. I look forward to welcoming Anneli to my senior leadership team”.

Awards

AstroAgency

International Scottish space firm AstroAgency has landed a host of new contract awards in the first quarter of 2022.

Big names in the global space sector have secured the services of AstroAgency, including the European Space Agency’s network of UK Business Incubation Centres.

Space debris removal company, Astroscale, has also joined the roster alongside the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s RAL Space, which carries out scientific research, technology development and operates facilities for the UK space sector.

Additions to AstroAgency’s public sector arsenal include strategic market research projects for the UK Space Agency and the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, the latter being the development of a space strategy for the regions of Norfolk and Suffolk following on from the firm’s work on Scotland’s space strategy last year.

In the private sector, the agency has onboarded Earth Blox, a company that empowers non-experts with information from satellite observations, allowing any organisation to translate raw satellite data into actionable insights without needing to write a single line of code.

Space sector entrepreneur and AstroAgency founder, Daniel Smith, said: “It’s been a rollercoaster start to the year, between the team’s efforts made to deliver on current projects despite the impact on some of our team members due to the invasion of Ukraine, together with a number of long-term target clients being secured.

“The growth of the company to reach our 40th client milestone has been a huge positive for us at a difficult time and we’re all delighted to have the chance to work with so many key space organisations from across the globe, in both the private and public sectors.

“We’re fully focused on helping them reach their potential and realise their goals.”

Intelligens Consulting

Intelligens Consulting announced it has been commissioned by a rural wireless ISP and broadband provider to support their bid to secure funding from the Department of Digital, Culture Media and Sport’s (DCMS) £5 billion Project Gigabit.

Project Gigabit is the government’s national mission to deliver lightning-fast, reliable broadband for everyone in the UK.

Intelligens Consulting Director Iqbal Singh Bedi commented: “Project Gigabit is the Government’s attempt to bridge the urban/rural digital divide by subsidising operators to provide gigabit capable broadband to the UK’s most rural and hard to reach areas”.

The Government has allocated £5 billion to connect the final 20% of premises that are unlikely to be served through private investment alone. As the cost of providing broadband to rural areas is significantly higher than in urban areas it justifies government intervention.

As a result, the Government is starting gigabit procurements for telecoms providers to compete for subsidies to deliver gigabit capable networks to areas that are considered otherwise commercially unviable. Government subsidy will be allocated to telecoms operators through a series of competitive procurements in areas where the market would not otherwise be willing to invest.

Bedi also went on to say about the procurement process: “Unlike previous Superfast or R100 procurements where a single entity was awarded the entire contract, Project Gigabit has been designed to ensure smaller local and regional operators can participate thereby
devolving competition to a local level.”

Initial procurements have now commenced which will provide learning and input to future phases. Bedi added: “Our team is supporting a rural fixed wireless broadband provider with its procurement response for Phase 1a.

“We will be providing technical, financial, and economic expertise as well as general bid support.”

ScotlandIS

ScotlandIS formally announced the shortlist for the 2022 Digital Technology Awards.

Now in its 12th year, the Digital Technology Awards showcase excellence across the Scottish digital technology industry, recognising the innovation, expertise and ambition of both companies and individuals.

With last year’s ceremony held virtually, the 2022 Awards will be held in-person on the 12th of May.

Several new categories have been introduced this year, including Climate Champion, Open Source Contribution and Best Workplace.

Commenting on the announcement, ScotlandIS CEO Karen Meechan, said: “Scotland’s position as a leading tech ecosystem and a hub for innovation is continuing to flourish, and our Awards endeavour to celebrate all those companies and individuals that are helping drive the growth of the sector.

“It is wonderful to be able to hold our Digital Technology Awards in person once again, to truly recognise the continuing strengths and achievements of our industry in spite of a difficult few years.”

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Partnerships

Emblation

Scots health tech firm, Emblation, has launched in Europe’s biggest healthcare market, after striking a partnership deal with a leading German medical device company.

Already available across the UK, US, Canada and Australia, Emblation is launching its Swift device – which uses microwave technology to treat common podiatry problems – into German and Austrian clinics.

The move is part of a growth strategy underpinned by an eight-figure investment and will see Emblation expand rapidly across the continent, with the German launch seen as the key to unlock that growth.

Gary Beale, co-founder and CEO of the Scotland-based health tech firm, said his team were delighted to be working with respected, Munich-based Medaesthetis GmbH, a specialist in medical devices across Aesthetics, Dermatology, Ophthalmology and Orthopaedics.

He added: “Up until now we have been planning our presence in mainland Europe and our recent investment was all about changing that, so we are extremely pleased to be making such rapid progress.

“Working with a distributor of the quality and reputation of Medaesthetis is the perfect launchpad.

“We’ve been impressed with every aspect of how they operate their business and the team’s knowledge, passion and, most importantly of all, encyclopaedic knowledge of our target sectors.”

Hardy Weiss, Head of Sales and Marketing with Medaesthetis, said: “In the field of medical devices, the term innovation is often over inflated.

“With Emblation’s Swift microwave technology, doctors and patients in Germany and Austria will now have access to a real and genuine innovation.

“The repeatability of treating benign skin lesions in only a few seconds will deliver predictable outcomes with a high safety profile.”

Gary Beale said Emblation is now preparing for a series of exciting developments in Germany, which will become the centre of its European growth with expansion in the firm’s support team and fulfilment operation.

He added: “This is just the start. The German presence is absolutely essential for us in accessing the surrounding countries in the EU.”

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Scottish Water and Hypervine

Glasgow-based startup Hypervine seeks to aid Scotland’s net-zero ambitions as it offers its AI and blockchain technology in a new partnership with Scottish Water.

The company’s tech will provide end-to-end site data for construction and mining firms, boosting efficiencies whilst enabling reductions in carbon emissions.

“Hypervine has come a long way since its inception,” says Paul Duddy, CEO and Founder of Hypervine.

He added: “Since that starting point, we have grown our product stack significantly, our technology now helps construction firms win bids, reduce costs and improve their carbon footprints whilst giving visibility over previously unattainable site operations.

“We are proud partners in this and see an exciting digital future for construction, working together to reach net zero across the industry.”

Digitising the construction process, alongside providing a record of all activities into and out of construction sites is key to hitting these emissions targets – a process that will no doubt have to be catalysed across multiple industries following COP26.

Paul Ingham, Operations Director Scotland for Morrison Construction, commented: “After trialling Hypervine on some of our sites and being impressed with the initial outcomes, we saw an opportunity to invite Hypervine in as a partner on our DV2 bid to Scottish Water.

“Leveraging the economic and environmental savings created by its technology are essential in achieving Morrison’s ambition to differentiate as the Greenest Construction Partner as we maximise carbon reduction across our operations.

“Working with Hypervine has been both informative and a pleasure; the team’s dedication and attention to detail has helped shape the framework, adding alternative options to our capabilities in achieving Operational Excellence and building a sustainable future for our customers and communities.”

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Relocations

Apadmi

Digital product agency Apadmi announced further expansion April with news of a new office opening in Edinburgh.

Following a period of growth, a new office in Scotland is the next step in ongoing expansion for the firm. Apadmi will be partnering with FJR Group to create a technology hub which builds digital products and delivers experiences, for people on the move across mobile, web and digital platforms.

Edinburgh has been ranked fourth in Europe in the latest Global Financial Centres Index; and with Apadmi’s expertise in financial services from creating digital products for the likes of Charles Stanley, Argos FS and Chetwood Financial, it’s the ideal place to expand further north in the UK.

The new city centre office will offer team members a location from which to collaborate with the broader team and a working space which reflects the Apadmi sense of identity and community.

Commenting on the news, Apadmi CEO Garry Partington said: “This is an exciting next step in achieving Apadmi’s growth ambitions, as we expand nationally and internationally. We are recruiting for our growing team and our new technology hub in Edinburgh is a key part of that.”

University of Strathclyde

A new Photonics Design Centre has opened at the University of Strathclyde to accelerate commercialisation of photonic products into quantum and space markets.

The centre, opened by Alter Technology TUV Nord and based in Strathclyde’s Technology & Innovation Centre (TIC), will support development of integrated, miniaturised photonic products to be used in quantum-enabled positioning, navigation and timing systems and photonic-based satellite optical communications.

Over the next three to five years, the group will allocate around €6 million to the Design Centre and its UK manufacturing site in Livingston to fund equipment, facilities, personnel and other research and development costs.

Commenting on the news, Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of Strathclyde, said: “I am delighted that Alter Technology has chosen to open its new Photonics Design Centre within the TIC building in Glasgow City Innovation District.

“Strathclyde has unparalleled links with leading national and international academic centres of excellence, and it has strong links with UK industry, public sector agencies as well as research and technology organisations.

“Our Department of Physics has an internationally-leading capability in Photonics and Quantum Optics, and was ranked first in the UK for Physics research in the Times Higher Education’s analysis of the last national research assessment exercise – with 93% of its submissions rated as world-leading.”

McDonald added: “Alter Technology’s co-location with the Fraunhofer CAP, our own Institute of Photonics and the Department of Physics – will provide many benefits for the company and be a real boost to the Scottish Photonics industry, the wider Scottish academic sector and the growing innovation ecosystem in Glasgow.”

Stephen Duffy, CEO of Alter Technology TUV Nord UK, said: “There were a number of factors that played an important role in convincing us to select the Technology and Innovation Centre as the location for our Photonic Design Centre.

“The key reasons were the importance of the local photonics and quantum eco-system, access to skills and proximity to our key partners at Fraunhofer UK and the research, innovation and leadership in quantum technology that takes place in the Physics Department at Strathclyde.

“I look forward to the continued successful partnerships with our stakeholders as we advance our exciting product roadmap in the years ahead.”

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Discovery Park and IBioIC

Discovery – a science park in Sandwich, Kent – has joined Scotland’s Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC).

As well as Pfizer, the park boasts more than 160 tenants, becoming the first site of its kind to join the IBioIC. The move comes in the hope that companies like Pfizer can better engage with the wider (and growing) biotechnology sector.

The IBioIC plays its part by engendering and supporting innovation and subsequent commercialisation of biotech products by connecting and creating networks between industry, academia and government.

Mark Bustard, chief executive of IBioIC, said: “The innovation centre plays an important role in supporting the growth of the UK’s bioeconomy, connecting industry partners with world-leading research teams to explore alternative bio-based materials and processes across a range of sectors.

“So far, we have supported more than 200 companies to bring new products to the global market and connecting with industrial biotechnology research and science hubs such as the Discovery Park will no doubt unlock further opportunities.

“Almost £30 million of additional industry investment has been generated as a direct result of IBioIC innovation activities to date, contributing to more than 3,000 high-value green jobs,” he added.

Jane Kennedy, chief business officer at Discovery Park, said: “The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre has undoubtedly done a fantastic job of catalysing the growth of the sector in Scotland.

“It is clear to me that joining the IBioIC offers Discovery Park opportunities to collaborate and make connections between my tenant companies in Kent with the fast growing network in Scotland. We hope to bring together companies that can learn from each other how to turn great ideas into great businesses.

“The membership will also help us to become the centre of excellence in the south east for industrial biotechnology, aiming to deliver thousands of new jobs and economic growth for the region. It will in turn give IBioIC the opportunity to work with new companies active in biotechnology and help grow its ecosystem and encourage further investment in the sector.”

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