Brian Hills, the CEO of The Data Lab, has been included in the DataIQ 100 – a list of the most influential people in data and analytics.

The annual list, published following an awards ceremony on 2 March, includes a list of those making significant strides in data innovation.

Hills commented: “To be included among such stellar talent not only nationally, but internationally for the second year running is an honour, not just for myself but for The Data Lab. It reinforces our position as a leading innovation centre on a national stage and is a testament to the work that the entire team does in our vision to create the world’s most impactful data community.”

Since taking up the CEO position in early 2022, Hills has been leading the evolution of The Data Lab with a focus on inclusion and scale.

For example, The Data Lab digital community has members from 55 countries across the world with access to tools, peer learning, mentoring and events.

In addition, investment in collaborations between industry and academia in Scotland has led to an estimated £196 million expected increase in revenue and created or safeguarded over 1,300 jobs.

“Data science and innovation has moved beyond number crunching to tackling real-world issues. The work we do is of global impact and many of the projects we support not only go on to inspire the next generation of data specialists but can contribute to solving societal challenges too,” Hills added.

Featuring alongside data leaders and CEOs from the likes of ITV, Unilerver and PwC, Brian is among the top five data influencers to be recognised in the list for the second year in a row.

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Since 2018, the DataIQ 100 has recognised influential individuals developing innovative solutions for their organisations or their partners. It also features data practitioners working with well-known brands, end-user organisations and key influencers that have a bearing on the data industry.

Hills concluded: “Every day we see how data can empower people and organisations. The value it can bring to enhance services and increase knowledge knows no bounds. We are passionate about our work and hope we can be a part of inspiring the next generation of data leaders who will one day also be featured on this prestigious list.”