Scotland 5G Centre attracts big hitters to ensure Scotland meets its 5G ambitions

The Scotland 5G Centre (S5GC) has recruited a number of big hitters from across the UK to form a new Strategy Advisory Group to support Scottish Government ambitions to put Scotland at the heart of UK and international use case developments and deployments in 5G.

It will be chaired by Claire Gillespie, Digital Technologies Sector Skills Manager at Skills Development Scotland.

She is supported by leading names from industry/enterprise, academia and the public sector:  Stephen Ingledew, executive chair of Fintech Scotland; Simon Haston, CTIO Regions and Devolved Nations for BT; Dr Mike Short, Chief Scientific Advisor for the Department of International Trade;  Regius Professor Rahim Tafazolli, Head of the Institute for Communication Systems at the University of Surrey; and Martyn Wallace, Chief Digital Officer at the Scottish Local Government Digital Office.

The Group will provide a leadership focus for the Scottish high bandwidth internet connectivity ecosystem and, more widely, provide advice to the Scotland 5G Centre as it supports the Scottish Government in its further development of 5G policy and programmes.

Strategic Advisory Group Chair Claire Gillespie said:  “To enable faster and wider 5G adoption across Scotland, one of the Group’s first priorities will be to engage with SMEs to understand their current challenges,  raise awareness of how 5G can play a role in helping them grow their businesses.  We also aim to bridge the technology and digital skills gap in business, supporting the transition to data driven solutions and outcomes, and working with businesses and people to develop their skills to in this exciting sector.”

She added:  “Crucially, each member of the Advisory Group brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to support the Centre’s governing board.  We will draw upon our collective experiences to enhance sustainable growth and put Scotland firmly on the global 5G map.”

Julie Snell, Chair of the Scotland 5G Centre said: “The formation of the Strategic Advisory Group is another key step in our commitment to creating a world-leading hub for knowledge, expertise and innovations regarding 5G.  Under Claire’s leadership, the Group will bring dynamic perspective, innovative advice and external input on market needs.   It will help shape our agenda and, through their extensive knowledge and networks, provide unbiased insight.”

You can find out more about our Strategic Advisory Group here.