CBI boss urges Scottish firms to think digitally

The head of CBI Scotland has urged businesses north of the Border to raise their game when it comes to embracing digital technology or risk being left behind on the world stage.

Hugh Aitken said Scotland should be in 'pole position' to embrace technological change. Picture: John Devlin

Tech industry veteran Hugh Aitken, the business body’s director in Scotland, highlighted the success of firms such as Skyscanner, FanDuel and Rockstar and appealed to others to do more with new technologies.

In a speech at Dundee and Angus College, he unveiled new UK-wide research by the CBI and IBM which showed that 55 per cent of businesses are pioneers in adopting and forging ahead with digital technologies and processes, while the remainder are being left behind.

He said: “Technological change is happening at a quicker rate than was ever imagined possible. Ensuring Scotland is in pole position to take advantage of this change will see all sectors of the economy flourish, for the benefit of all, in a truly digital world.”