Who We Are
The Scotland 5G Centre is the national centre for accelerating the deployment and adoption of 5G connectivity in Scotland’s Industry and Public Sectors. Funded by the Scottish Government, the Centre is uniquely positioned with connections to industry, telecom providers and academia – allowing the team to work collaboratively and support the delivery of advanced communications solutions, future proofed to unlock Scotland’s digital potential.
BrochureMission
Delivering economic impact through accelerating the deployment and adoption of 5G, in support of the Scottish Government’s National Strategy.
The Scotland 5G Centre has 4 key pillars:
Coverage
Ensuring organisations have access to cutting-edge technology and reliable mobile coverage.
5G Support
Supporting organisations to procure and deploy 5G networks.
Engagement
Demonstrating the value and potential of 5G to organisations.
Innovation
Fostering innovation and supporting organisations to access investment.
Operational Team
The Scotland 5G Centre team comprises skilled professionals from diverse backgrounds including admin, operations, 5G technical support, business development, marketing, and finance. The team brings unique expertise to drive the Centre’s success. The team also work closely with the Centre’s Governing Board and Strategic Advisory Group.
Ian Sharp
Head of Strategy and Delivery
Ian joined The Scotland 5G Centre team in June 2021 as Head of Business Development and his role includes developing new partnerships, key strategic alliances and opportunities in order to support advancement of 5G in Scotland.
Ian has significant experience in business development gained in the public, private and academic sectors. In addition to successfully developing new business and growing sales, he has led major bids, managed strategic partnerships, and developed, implemented and managed new projects.
He joins the Centre from the University of Edinburgh’s Edinburgh Innovations, where he headed a team focussed on engaging with Industry to deliver innovation; he introduced a range of initiatives to drive collaboration and increase impact, such as the University’s AIMday program and its new strategic partnering program.
Prior to joining Edinburgh Innovations, Ian was responsible for delivering technology transfer/implementation from MoD to UK Industry in Scotland, working with a diverse range of UK companies at a senior level.
Arthur Smith
Head of Operations
Arthur joined The Scotland 5G Centre in May 2022 and was responsible for directing the execution of strategic projects. In January 2023, Arthur took up the role of Head of Operations.
During his 30+ year career in the telecommunications sector, Arthur held engineering and leadership roles with STC Technology in England, Bell Northern Research in Canada, Ciena Corporation in the USA and Intune Networks in Ireland. With senior corporate positions in product development, manufacturing/supply chain management, customer service and M&A, Arthur brings a wealth of experience in leading large/complex projects and introducing state-of-the-art networking equipment to carriers and enterprises.
Most recently, Arthur was with the University of Glasgow, where he held a leadership position at their flagship nanofabrication facility.
Arthur is a graduate of the University of Glasgow with a B.Eng. and PhD.
Sue Berry
Executive Assistant
Sue is the CEO’s Executive Assistant and also provides Admin support to the wider S5GC Team.
Sue’s background is over 15 years experience working for C Suite Executives in both the Private and Public Sectors and Military Commanders in Jersey, London and Germany. More recently Sue was the EA to the Senior MoD Civil Servant in Germany and worked with the British Forces in their large scale programme to relocate over 8,000 Troops and their families back to the UK.
Sue is a Member of the Royal Society of Arts Dip R.S.A. and received military commendations from 2* Generals for her work undertaken in Germany.
Graham Thom
Financial Administrator
Graham joined The Scottish 5G Centre team in January 2022, supporting the S5GConnect team however has since moved to the Operations team.
Graham has 13 years of experience in customer service and administration within the fitness industry, most recently for the UK’s leading health and wellbeing charity in an administration and client supporting role and he has extensive knowledge of data management, financial reporting and administration using various client software’s.
In a previous role, Graham was voted co-worker of the year.
Neil Brown
Programme Manager
Neil joined The Scotland 5G team in September 2022 as a Programme Manager.
Neil began his career by joining the Army straight after leaving secondary school, serving in a variety of countries around the world. Upon leaving the military, Neil went into the security industry for 10 years, managing large corporate contracts for clients throughout Scotland.
Following on from that, Neil then went into the world of project management, working for a large change management & business relocations consultancy (fun fact: Neil managed the relocation of staff, departments, laboratories etc. into the new Technology & Innovation Centre, the building that S5GC is based in!).
Neil then went onto other roles within programme management, based within the University of Strathclyde, The Data Lab – Innovation Centre and then the Digital Curation Centre, based at the University of Edinburgh.
In his spare time, Neil also holds a position as a Volunteer at Who Dares Cares, a charity who support our Armed Forces, Emergency Services and Veterans, including their Families and Dependents, who are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Esther Francisco Ballesteros
Marketing and Communications Manager
Esther joined The Scotland 5G Centre team as Marketing and Communications Manager in May 2021.
Esther holds a BA (honours) in Business and Administration as well as an MA in Marketing and has over 12 years of international marketing experience with a number of leading companies.
Most recently Esther worked for s1homes, part of the Newsquest Group, as the Marketing Manager responsible for leading the development of the brand and communication strategies and for German Doner Kebab as their International Marketing Manager establishing the strategy and plans for new markets in North America.
Prior to this, Esther worked in several marketing positions within the FMCG sector at Heineken, Mondelez and Avon and has experience developing and implementing marketing and communication strategies, leading offline and online marketing activities, managing B2B and B2C multichannel campaigns, ensuring brand growth and audience engagement.
Jack Waland
Technical Delivery Manager
Jack Waland is the Centre’s Technical Delivery Manager, supporting hub-based activities and projects.
Jack joined the team in 2021 as Technical Support Manager before taking up the role as Delivery Manager in November 2022.
Jack has extensive experience in the telecommunications industry, specialising in technical aspects of cellular network delivery, the physical integration of User Devices (both CPE and Mobile Handsets) into the network and the design of IOT data flow across the cellular environment.
Working previously on many DCMS private network programmes, Jack is well versed in the design, operation, benefit realisation and reporting of specialist 5G Use Cases in multiple sectors.
Luca Campanalonga
Technical Business Development Manager
Luca joined The Scotland 5G Centre team in December 2021 as Project Manager.
Owning technical and commercial experience in the telecommunications industry, he is truly passionate in realizing the potential of new connectivity technologies, to create value across traditional and emerging sectors, as well as improve the lives of individuals in Scotland’s communities.
Luca holds a M.Sc. in Telecommunications Engineering, obtained at Politecnico di Milano University.
During his studies, Luca covered commercial roles for Sony Electronics, introducing the latest innovations in professional/consumer markets.
Following this, he joined Nokia Bell Labs to work on cutting-edge 5G technologies, helping in the definition of future RAN and co-authoring research publications.
Prior to S5GC, Luca worked as Technical Sales Engineer on wireless solutions with SIAE Microelettronica, driving advanced connectivity projects for UK & Ireland ISPs and Network Operators, from the technical design phase to the network implementation.
Kirsty Scott
Senior Business Engagement Manager
kirsty.scott@scotland5gcentre.org
S5GConnect Dundee,
Cyber Quarters, Bell Street, Dundee, DD1 1HG
Kirsty joined The Scotland 5G team in July 2022 to engage with the region’s businesses. She brings a specialist range of knowledge from 14 years in Computer Games Development in Dundee with a background working in STEM skills as well as in-depth project management experience successfully delivering Tay Cities Deal pipeline projects. She joins from the Economic Development team in Angus, focussed on engaging with business stakeholders to identify support entering new and existing markets in key sectors.
Kirsty’s career has a legacy of business development, strategy and investment towards business growth and passionate in creating value through enabling people and businesses realising their full potential. Her key role will be working in partnership across public and private industry to create awareness of 5G application through testing and business support via the S5GConnect Hubs.
Who we work with
The Centre works with a diverse range of partners across our innovation projects, supporting businesses to develop their digital strategy and futureproof operations, products and services.
Who we work with
Governing Board
Helping steer the Scotland 5G Centre’s direction and focus is our experienced and expert Governing Board, which provides leadership, strategic direction and oversight for the Scotland 5G Centre. The Board comprises of our Chair, CEO and individuals appointed by our founding partners.
Mark Hanson
Vice Chair
Mark has a wealth of experience driving growth for entrepreneurial technology companies in Scotland which include; high end audio manufacturer Linn Products, quantum pioneer M Squared Lasers and digital communications specialist Logicomms.
Having held a variety of senior leadership positions within engineering, procurement, sales and operations, he understands what it takes to take ideas from concept through to delivery and commercial success.
Mark is proud of Scotland’s engineering heritage and looks forward to helping the centre deliver the wider societal benefits that 5G will bring to the country.
Fiona Smith
Non-Executive Director
Fiona Smith, Group Head of Aerodrome Strategy for AGS Airports Ltd, is an experienced leader in the aviation sector, specialising in technology identification and its application in operational settings.
With experience gained across seven airports internationally and for the UK CAA, Fiona is a leading figure in the sector. She is a founding member of the industry governance framework on Airspace Modernisation, and Project Director for Future Flight project CAELUS, an Innovate UK funded consortium of 16 companies demonstrating viability of a drone enabled national network serving NHS in Scotland.
She passionately supports initiatives driving social inclusion, sustainability and diversity and inclusion.
Sarah Eynon
Scottish Futures Trust
Sarah is the Program Director for Digital Infrastructure at Scottish Futures Trust. She leads a team that supports the Scottish Government in the delivery of its 5G Strategy, the Green Data Centre Vision and Action Plan and the Scottish 4G Infill programme, and leads the delivery of the DCMS Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Accelerator pilot project Infralink Exchange.
Sarah led the establishment of the Scotland 5G Centre and now sits on the Governing Board with a drive to ensure that 5G is tied into the broad tech scene in Scotland and in particular there is shared best practice across the UK about overcoming the challenges of deploying mobile infrastructure. She promotes Scotland’s 5G activity and specifically the work of the Scotland 5G Centre as part of the UK5G SME&LEP working group and across other collaborative forums.
Helen Harkness
University of Glasgow
Helen Harkness is the Head of Research for the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Glasgow. She has an MBA and a BSc Hons in Physics and brings over 25 years of management experience working in manufacturing, healthcare and academia.
Throughout her career, Helen has worked with UK and International customers, and she spent three years in Hungary as part of a start-up team at a greenfield manufacturing facility. She is passionate about the opportunity to support the Scotland 5G Centre and the businesses, innovators and pioneers of Scotland who will deliver creative case studies to showcase 5G capabilities.
Professor Chris Pearce
University of Glasgow
Chris is Professor of Computational Mechanics in the James Watt School of Engineering at the University of Glasgow. He holds the Royal Academy of Engineering / EDF Energy Research Chair and is co-Director of the Glasgow Computational Engineering Centre. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a Chartered Engineer. He is currently Vice Principal (Research) at the University of Glasgow, and a Director of the Scottish Research Partnership for Engineering.
His research has delivered advances in the computational analysis of materials and structures, and has led him to work closely with the civil nuclear industry, providing computational modelling tools and advice for assessing structural integrity.
Professor Bob Stewart
University of Strathclyde
Bob Stewart is a Professor at Strathclyde University where he leads a 5G Software-Defined-Radio team, and where he is also the lead on the University 5G Industry Cluster within the Glasgow City Innovation District.
He has more than 30 years of experience in wireless and mobile, from 1G to today’s 5G architectures. He was previously a Visiting Professor at UCLA Extension School for 20 years, and a founder and the Director of the tech company Steepest Ascent Ltd, prior to acquisition by MathWorks in 2013.
Most recently Bob led the University’s 5GRuralFirst project activity, and now chairs and manages the 5G New Thinking project co-funded by DCMS with lead partner Cisco. Bob is also Chair of UK Spectrum Policy Forum’s Cluster 2, tasked with advancing initiatives related long-term spectrum strategy, including 6G.
Kerry Alexander
Scottish Futures Trust
Kerry Alexander is the Director for Infrastructure Finance and Programmes for Scottish Futures Trust where she leads SFT’s work in the Digital, Net Zero and Education infrastructure sectors. A chartered accountant with over 20 years experience, both in private practice and in the public sector, Kerry provides commercial and financial support to infrastructure development that can contribute to vibrant places to live and work in Scotland.
Kerry joined the Governing Board of the Scotland 5G Centre in April 2022 and brings her experience of advising on collaborative partnering arrangements and commercial structures.
Founding Partners
The Scotland 5G Centre is an innovative partnership between the University of Strathclyde (which hosts us), the University of Glasgow and the Scottish Futures Trust, with investment from the Scottish Government.
Funded By
Scottish Government
Founding Partners
University of Glasgow
Founding Partners
University of Strathclyde
Founding Partners
Scottish Futures Trust
Strategic Advisory Group
Our Strategic Advisory Group advises and supports our Governing Board with the strategic direction of The Scotland 5G Centre – with a particular focus on driving value and maximising impact. The Strategic Advisory Group comprises of accomplished experts offering innovative advice and a dynamic perspective.
Claire Gillespie
Digital Technologies Sector Skills Manager, Skills Development Scotland
Claire has worked in the skills sector for almost 20 years and within digital technology skills since 2014 when Skills Development Scotland launched the first Skills Investment Plan for the tech sector. The overarching aim is to support employers to fill the 13,000 digital technology jobs in Scotland each year. To achieve this, Claire leads a small team who works with technology employers to influence digital skills education, and where appropriate to develop additional interventions in response to employer need. To bring the work of the team to life some examples of our projects include –
- CodeClan – reskilling individuals for tech jobs
- Digital World – promoting tech as career of choice
- Digital Xtra – industry support for tech clubs
- Discover Cyber Careers – live online lessons
The team works closely with Scottish Government and local authorities and is currently the delivery lead for Scottish Governments Digital Start Fund, their Digital Economy Units digital skills funding, and the Safer Communities Cyber Resilience Skills Action Plan. We also work with Glasgow City Council and support delivery of the skills actions in their Digital Glasgow Strategy.
Claire is Law graduate of the University of Strathclyde and has a Degree in Business and Entrepreneurship Studies at the University of West of Scotland. And she likes to combine her worlds with a keen interest in internet law.
Stephen Ingledew
Executive Chair, FinTech Scotland
Stephen is the Executive Chair of FinTech Scotland, the independent enterprise focused on delivering positive economic outcomes through financial innovation.
He has led FinTech Scotland since its formation in 2018, initially as Chief Executive, to be recognised as one of Europe’s top financial technology (fintech) economic cluster bodies, a status awarded in 2020.
This economic and innovation progress has been achieved by bringing together diverse participants such as entrepreneurs, large businesses, government, citizen and universities to drive positive economic outcomes whilst contributing to the global fintech movement.
Throughout his career, Stephen has been an influential advocate of making the financial world more open, creative and inclusive through innovative digital and data initiatives, encouraging progressive ways of working and collaboration across diverse stakeholders .
Stephen’s career over four decades has earned a track record and reputation for leading the implementation of customer focused, technology enabled initiatives in a wide range of financial firms, including executive roles with large institutions such as Standard Life and Barclays as well as a number of early-stage innovative enterprises.
Today, Stephen is also Member of the UK Government’s Innovation Expert Group, advising on how innovation can improve productivity across all sectors of the economy, as well as a Non-Executive Member of the University of Strathclyde Court, a member of the Scottish Government’s Financial Services Advisory Board and the UK Dept of International Trade FinTech Steering Board.
Living in Edinburgh with his family and enjoying his other passion of being a competitive long distance runner.
Regius Professor Rahim Tafazolli
Fellow of Royal Academy of Engineering, IET, WWRF
Rahim Tafazolli, Fellow of Royal Academy of Engineering, IET, WWRF and is Regius Professor of Electronic Engineering, Professor of Mobile and Satellite Communications, Founder and Director of 5GIC, 6GIC and ICS (Institute for Communication System) at the University of Surrey. He has over 30 years of experience in digital communications research and teaching. He has authored and co-authored more than 1000 research publications and is regularly invited to deliver keynote talks and distinguished lectures to international conferences and workshops. He was advisor to Mayor of London (Boris Johnson) on London 2050 Infrastructure.
Dr. Mike Short CBE
Chief Scientific Adviser, Department for International Trade
Dr Mike Short CBE joined the Department for International Trade as the first Chief Scientific Adviser in December 2017.
Mike leads the science and engineering profession in the department and ensures its policy is informed by the best science, engineering and technical advice. He advises on technical aspects of future trade deals as DIT looks to create new arrangements following Brexit, and works with the UK’s research, development and academic communities to boost scientific and engineering exports.
Mike has over 40 years’ experience in electronics and telecommunications and served as Vice President of Telefonica, the parent company of 02. He managed the launch of 2G (GSM) and 3G mobile technologies in the UK and led research and development for Telefonica Europe.
Martyn Wallace
Chief Digital Officer – Digital Office for Scottish Local Government
Martyn leads the Digital Office for Scottish Local Government which was set up in October 2016 to look at creating, delivering and accelerating innovative digital solutions to help Scottish Councils with the challenge of balancing their budgets whilst still delivering critical front line services.
Martyn is also the Senior Responsible Officer for the Analogue to Digital Telecare Switchover programme which he works in partnership with Technology Enabled Care , Scottish Government and Health & Care colleagues.
Before joining the Digital Office and indeed Public Sector, Martyn’s career has been in the tech sector working with Private & Public Sector clients to understand and innovate with new Digital technology for over 20 Years. He has worked for companies including Capita Secure Digital Solutions, Telefonica O2UK, BlackBerry, Computacenter and Compaq plus been a board advisor to some start-ups.
The Scotland 5G Centre
Technology & Innovation Centre
Level 4, 99 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RD