Expanding Scots tech innovator Novosound names former Baker Hughes exec as chairman

Scottish ultrasound technology company Novosound is building on its global ambitions after appointing a former Baker Hughes senior executive as its chairman.

Left to right, Dr Dave Hughes, founder and CTO Novosound, Richard Cooper, founder and CEO Novosound, with Dr Derek Mathieson.

Derek Mathieson, who is currently based in Houston, Texas, has held a number of high-profile positions at Baker Hughes. These include vice president, chief commercial officer; vice president and chief strategy officer; president, Western Hemisphere operations; and president, products and technology.

In his most recent role, as chief marketing and technology officer, he was responsible for leading the commercial growth strategy for the company.

Mathieson earned a PhD in micro electro-mechanical systems and a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronic engineering from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, and was awarded an honorary doctorate in engineering from the same institution.

Established in 2018 by chief technology officer Dave Hughes and chief executive Richard Cooper, Novosound is based just outside Glasgow and now employs a team of 27. It was the first spin-out company from the University of the West of Scotland, raising £1.5 million at its seed investment round in April 2018.

The business also secured a £1m grant from Scottish Enterprise in July 2019 as part of a £2m project to rapidly scale up its research and development activity and recruit staff.

Hughes said: “Derek brings vast experience of international businesses to Novosound. With the global ultrasonic market now valued at $45 billion, and growing, we strongly believe there is a huge opportunity to grow at scale and to take a big part of that market.

“Attracting such an influential and internationally respected industry leader as Derek is extremely exciting for us and is a strong reflection on the work we have delivered to date and demonstrates our future ambitions and plans.”

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