Digital development firm xDesign has hired Robin Baird as its first Chief Strategy Officer (CSO).

The appointment comes as the business looks to strengthen its market position as well as its strategy and design offering, while continuing to deliver on ambitious growth plans.

Baird, who will be based in xDesign’s Edinburgh headquarters, will join the company’s executive leadership team, and lead its brand and market strategy.

He will have an initial focus on helping to strengthen and boost xDesign’s product, design, and engineering propositions to drive new market opportunities.

Baird has over a decade’s experience in brand, strategy, and creativity, including spells co-leading Deloitte Digital Scotland and Market Gravity’s Scotland studio. His expertise will directly contribute to building on xDesign’s software and product delivery.

Commenting on the new appointment, xDesign CEO Euan Andrews said: “At xDesign, our people are our greatest asset and incredible talent is a core part of building great products. Over the last six months alone we’ve seen tremendous growth meaning we’ve had to hire an additional 100 people – this ensures our expertise keeps pace with our rapid growth and future ambitions.

“Robin’s appointment is not only a fantastic addition to our leadership team, but I also know that he will contribute considerably to the company’s accelerated growth. He brings a wealth of experience in brand and strategy, and when combined with our focus on high-quality, UK-based engineering, design and product teams, he is the perfect match.

“This new appointment will also help to shape our future and target growth in new markets, whilst still delivering an exceptional product and experience for our customers.”

Recommended

• 9 innovative tech companies from Aberdeen and the Northeast
• Scots 5G Digital Health and Social Care Challenge winners announced
• Scots firm DirectID to boost Shieldpay customer experience

Baird, CSO, xDesign, said of his new role: “The work xDesign has delivered for some of the UK’s biggest and best-known brands has been outstanding and its bold and ambitious growth plans – balanced with its focus on people – is what really attracted me to the company.

“I believe that great things happen when creativity, culture, and technology collide – particularly when you can see first-hand how they can be fused together to create meaningful change. xDesign’s incredibly strong heritage in building great products creates a unique opportunity to really help aspirational companies do digital differently.

“Not only does xDesign want to build great products, but it also wants to help create the amazing new businesses that both customers and the world want to see – and for me that’s what’s most exciting.”

In addition to Baird’s appointment, xDesign has hired Andy Shaw as communications lead. With extensive experience in the PR and comms sector, Andy joins the business from AND Digital where he helped to shape the company’s external profile.

Both appointments follow news that the company has formalised its partnership with FanDuel, the premier sports gaming platform in North America, to support new entrants into the technology industry.

The new partnership will create 400 high-value jobs, 150 of which will be created across xDesign’s Edinburgh and Leeds offices by the end of 2022.

Get the latest news from DIGIT direct to your inbox

Our newsletter covers the latest technology and IT news from Scotland and beyond, as well as in-depth features and exclusive interviews with leading figures and rising stars.

To subscribe, click here.