Head of organisation shaping Scotland’s digital economy scoops top accolade

The head of an organisation helping to shape Scotland’s digital economy has picked up a top UK accolade.

ScotlandIS chief executive Jane Morrison-Ross has been announced as the 2020 Digital Leaders Local Champion for the UK. Picture: Rebecca Holmes Photography

ScotlandIS chief executive Jane Morrison-Ross has been announced as the 2020 Digital Leaders (DL) Local Champion for the UK, in recognition of her “outstanding contribution to the Scottish digital sector”.

Morrison-Ross was given the Local Champion award after being shortlisted alongside nine other regional champions from across the UK for the prestigious ultimate national prize.

The awards celebrate the individuals and organisations from the public, private and non-profit sectors who are “demonstrating a pioneering and sustainable approach to digital transformation”.

Morrison-Ross said: “I am honoured to receive both the DL Champion for Scotland and the overall national award on behalf of Scotland.

“ScotlandIS has been working for the past 20 years to champion digital transformation and the digital economy and, challenges aside, it is a very exciting time working in the industry.

“There is a lot of exciting, innovative work happening in Scotland at the moment, from the Digital Nation Challenge in partnership with the Scottish Government, and our Connecting Scotland Programme. I firmly believe that Scotland is the place to watch in the coming year as we strengthen our digital sector and widen access to vital digital skills.”

Colin Cook, digital director at the Scottish Government, added: “Jane has helped forge an exciting new partnership between the public and private sectors in Scotland and I congratulate her on this fantastic award.

“She recognises that we can achieve so much together, and epitomises the digital leadership required to make it happen.”

Morrison-Ross was appointed chief executive of ScotlandIS, which is the industry body and cluster management organisation for the digital and technology industries in Scotland, in July 2019.

She is a former digital strategy and transformation specialist with 25 years’ experience working across the public and private sectors.

Morrison-Ross is also a former board member of ScotlandIS and has held senior roles at technology services firm Capgemini and the Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre in North Uist.

It is estimated that the digital technologies industry in Scotland employs in excess of 70,000 people.

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