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DIGIT Movers and Shakers | November 2023
Catch up on November 2023’s awards, partnership, recruitment, and expansion news from the Scottish technology sector.
Welcome to the latest monthly edition of DIGIT Movers and Shakers.
Movers and Shakers gives you the low-down on recent news in the Scottish tech ecosystem, from recruitment and partnerships to expansion and awards.
This month’s column features a stellar mix of cutting-edge organisations and key players doing exciting things — read on to learn more!
Recruitment
Scots Audio Tech Firm Secures New Funding, Appoints New Director
Former Skyscanner Exec Joins xDesign
xDesign has announced its new chairperson as former Skyscanner executive Shane Corstorphine.
Previously CFO and then senior vice president for growth at the Edinburgh-based digital travel company, his new role will see him overseeing xDesign’s strategic direction and corporate governance with the aim of supporting the company’s next phase of growth. He’ll be taking the reins from Par Equity’s Paul Atkinson.
This new appointment follows a period of rapid growth for xDesign under Atkinson which has seen near 10x revenue growth in just three years, whilst growing its workforce from just 40 people in 2020 to over 500 in 2023.
To read more, click here.
Frontier Digital Ltd. Appoints James Brown as Chief Commercial Officer
Frontier Digital Ltd., a software consultancy firm specialising in cloud platform engineering, devops, and cybersecurity, welcomes James Brown as chief commercial officer.
This strategic move underscores Frontier Digital’s ‘commitment to fostering growth and enhancing client engagement through its innovative services.’
With a proven track record as the senior business development manager for Leyton UK, James Brown brings over 12 years of commercial experience in the software sector. His passion for helping clients achieve their objectives aligns seamlessly with Frontier Digital’s mission. James’s deep knowledge of business-to-business solutions will play a crucial role in accelerating the team’s initial financial performance.
Cybit appoints Thomas Lynch as new Marketing Lead
He joins Cybit with nearly 20 years’ experience including previous marketing roles at iomart, Akari, VKY Intelligent Automation and Systal Technology solutions during which he worked collaboratively with leading technology vendors including Microsoft, Check Point, Cisco and F5.
Cybit was formed in 2022 as part of a strategic growth plan bringing together three long established MSP’s Perfect Image, Technique and Cyphra as a single brand to create one of the UK’s leading IT Managed Services, Cyber Security and Data Analytics providers.
Kelly Symkiss CEO says: “We are excited to have Thomas join the team and bring with him a wealth of experience in sales and digital marketing across our areas of expertise of cloud, data and cyber security. We’re already seeing the value he will bring in a short period of time.”
Kelvin Capital Appoints New Senior Advisory Board
Kelvin Capital, the Glasgow-based investor in ambitious early-stage technology companies has appointed its new senior advisor board.
The new advisory board will be chaired by Colin Robertson CBE, formerly chief executive of Alexander Dennis Limited and now chair/founder of Robertson Campbell Investments. Colin also holds numerous other executive and non-executive chair roles. Joining Colin are Simon Russell and John Thomson.
Simon was formerly global technology partner/managing director with various investment banks including Nomura, Macquarie and PwC. He now leads his own consultancy practice and sits on numerous boards in a chair/non-executive capacity.
John, formerly based in Singapore, was a partner at 3i Asia for many years and brings vast direct investing insights alongside an outstanding network across Asia.
To read more, click here.
Partnerships
Converged Announces Partnership with Closed Door Security
The partnership brings CREST-accredited penetration service to the North-East through a local managed services provider.
Aberdeen-based IT, cybersecurity and internet service provider, Converged Communication Solutions, has announced a partnership with Closed Door Security, a provider of penetration testing and cybersecurity compliance services.
The partnership brings CREST-accredited (Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers) penetration service to the North-East through a local managed services provider.
The partnership was officially announced today during the firm’s cybersecurity event, Your Business. Held to Ransom at the Chester Hotel.
To read more, click here.
Snugg and EDF Launch Home Energy Efficiency Platform
Snugg, the Scots energy efficiency tech startup, has launched a new digital platform with EDF to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient.
The Home Efficiency Hub on EDF’s website gives homeowners a view of the best ways to make savings on their energy bills and reduce the carbon emissions of their homes.
It identifies areas where improvements could be made, from air source heat pumps, solar PV panels, and insulation to cheaper options such as draught-proofing. It also shows estimated energy bill savings.
To read more, click here.
Conceal and Barrier Unite to Bring Cutting Edge Ransomware Protection to the UK
Conceal, a phishing and ransomware protection platform that is backed by the former leaders of cyber superpowers FireEye and Palo Alto Networks, today announced it has partnered with Barrier Networks, one of the UK’s leading security service providers, to bring its ransomware detection platform to the UK, helping protect organisations against today’s most lethal cyberattack.
The partnership between Barrier Networks and Conceal means more businesses in the UK can take advantage of this unique ransomware protection, which already has a proven track record of stopping attacks in action.
CGI and Edinburgh Napier Partner for Digital Innovation
CGI will partner with Edinburgh Napier University to support their joint vision of an improved stakeholder experience for those involved in higher education, while also growing the Scottish digital economy by investing in a skilled workforce.
Edinburgh Napier has also joined CGI’s Sustainability Exploration and Environmental Data Science (SEEDS) programme, which is a research programme in partnership with academia and the United Nations.
Through this programme, the organisations jointly launched a digital twin centre of excellence where five pilot projects have been initiated.
To read more, click here.
Heriot-Watt & InnoScot Partner for US Regulatory Workshop
Heriot-Watt University’s Medical Device Manufacturing Centre (MDMC) and InnoScot Health are looking to help entrepreneurs in the medical technology field land compliance in the US. This collaborative effort builds upon a successful five-year agreement signed last year, aiming to bring healthcare innovations to life.
According to Statista, the US medtech market is expected to pull in a total of $197 billion (£157.9bn) in revenue this year, compared to $19.4bn (£15.5bn) in the UK. The US’s compound annual growth rate is projected to be higher too, at 4.17% between now and 2028, resulting in a market volume of $241.7bn (£193.7bn) by 2028, compared to just $23.2bn (£18.5bn) in the UK.
The interactive workshop, titled “FDA Regulations on Medical Devices: How to Penetrate the US Market,” is scheduled for the 24th of November. There are also two other workshops planned for the 24th of January and the 21st of February next year.
To read more, click here.
Novosound Inks New Transatlantic Partnership
A Scottish ultrasound company collaborates with a Texas medical school to help realise its global expansion plans.
Just east of Glasgow, in North Lanarkshire, Novosound is spearheading technological innovation for wireless ultrasounds. The new partnership with Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston Texas, marks a significant expansion for Novosound into North America.
Dr Todd Rosengart, cardiovascular surgeon, vice president and DeBakey Bard chair of surgery at Baylor College of Medicine said he is impressed with Novosound’s technology so far.
“We believe (it) will save lives and could indeed become the next vital sign monitor,” he said.
Awards
Winners Announced at 2023 Scottish Cyber Awards
Run by the Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland, the awards took place at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh and saw the distribution of 14 prizes to worthy recipients from across the sector.
Scotland’s cybersecurity community celebrated on November 30th as the seventh annual Scottish Cyber Awards recognised the achievements of individuals, organisations and academics from across the industry.
Run by the Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland and hosted by comedian Fred McAulay, the awards took place at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh and saw the distribution of 14 prizes to worthy recipients from across the sector.
To read more, click here.
Fife Students Claim Cybersecurity Awards
Four students – Kieran Snowdon, Gordon Smith, Brandon MacDonald, and Ignacy Boguszewicz – from Fife College earned international recognition at the Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge.
The event is organised by the Atlantic Council, a global think-tank specialising in conflict resolution, cyber-crime, and climate change. Over the course of a two-day regional heat at Abertay University’s cyberQuarter in Dundee, the students earned the ‘most creative policy response’ award.
The Fife College team’s cybersecurity policy brief was unanimously voted as the best among the participants, emphasising their strategic thinking and crisis management capabilities.
To read more, click here.
£1.5M Claimed at Scottish EDGE Awards
£1.5 million was invested into 38 early stage, high-growth businesses at the Scottish EDGE Awards.
The investments were dished out during the 22nd round of the Scottish EDGE awards, which took place in Glasgow for the first time since 2019 and was hosted by the Royal Bank of Scotland, and supported by The Hunter Foundation, the Scottish Government, and Scottish Enterprise.
“As businesses across Scotland find themselves facing challenging circumstances, there’s never been a more urgent need to drive creativity and innovation. The winners of the 22nd round of Scottish EDGE are testament to the incredible potential within Scotland’s startup landscape,” said Evelyn McDonald, CEO of Scottish EDGE.
To read more, click here.
4 Scottish Businesses Make Deloitte’s 2023 UK Technology Fast 50
Scottish companies among the ranking and Glasgow-based company Utopi claiming the inaugural CleanTech award.
The awards recognise and rank the 50 fastest-growing technology companies in the UK based on average revenue growth over a four-year period.
The 2023 Fast 50 winners have a collective average four-year growth rate of 5,473%, total revenues of £801 million in 2022/23, and employ almost 15,000 people in the UK.
To read more, click here
Microplate Dx Wins Best Startup Business at Barclays Entrepreneur Awards ’23
Microplate Dx Limited was successful in receiving the Best ‘StartUp’ Business trophy from amongst the many 100s of entries submitted, shortlisted, through Regional nations Rounds and then winning the National Finals in London, this time at the Barclays
EntrepreneurAwards 2023.
Commenting, Dr Poonam Malik Said: “As a MedTech, Health Technology business- this reward and recognition at the UK-wide level becomes even more positive because it is competed against all technology companies, at a sector-agnostic level. Chosen by the judges for company’s strengths in leadership, raising investment, ccommercial traction, partnerships, innovation technology uniqueness along with the business’ vision and mission for longer term inclusive influence and impact on the global society.”
Expansions
Royal Mile office creates Edinburgh platform for Aspect’s growth
Aspect has chosen Edinburgh’s Royal Mile for its first office outside Aberdeen as it continues to grow its team of strategic communication, marketing, digital and external affairs professionals, following a move last year to larger company headquarters in Aberdeen.
The new office, in the heart of the Scottish Capital, also provides a base to extend the firm’s government and stakeholder relations proposition in Holyrood and Westminster, under the leadership of recently appointed Public Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement Director, Peter Smyth.
Close to the Scottish Parliament, the Scotland Office and Edinburgh City Chambers, the office at 166 High Street provides flexible working and meeting space to support existing clients and future growth in issue-rich sectors from technology, life sciences and the natural economy, to energy, infrastructure and net zero.
2i Testing Opens New Office On Edinburgh’s George Street
Test and quality engineering firm 2i count the Scottish Government, the UK Home Office, New Look, abrdn, and Virgin Money amongst their clients.
Test and quality engineering firm 2i have opened their new headquarters in Edinburgh.
Located in the centre of the city’s prestigious George Street, the new office is a modern, open plan space that represents a significant upgrade from their previous HQ in the city’s Hanover Street.
To read more, click here.
Scots Firm FarrPoint Expands to US Following New Partnership
FarrPoint, the Edinburgh-headquartered connectivity specialist, has announced the opening of its second overseas office following a new partnership with US consultancy firm, Vernonburg Group.
The two companies are set to combine their expertise and resources to create a “one-stop-shop” of support services, helping US state and territorial governments deliver affordable high-speed broadband to their citizens.
The Scots business has opened its new office in Boston, Massachusetts. Services on offer will include programme design, connectivity mapping, procurement exercises, and deployment assurance. This will leverage funding across multiple broadband programmes, including the Broadband Equity Access and Development (BEAD) programme.
To read more, click here.
