Tech start-ups

I very much welcome the news in Scott Reid’s article, “Silicon Glen’s tech start-up figures set the heather alight” (Business, 2 February), that the number of Scottish tech start-ups continues to grow at such a rapid rate.

This certainly matches our experience in relation to growth as almost three-quarters of firms look to transform their IT functions to embrace big data and cloud computing.

Yes, Scotland has fertile ground for start-ups, with world-class universities and a low cost of business, but we can’t rely on those traditional strengths into the future.

The UK National Audit Office has reported it could take up to 20 years to address the IT skills gap that has developed.

If bridging that gap becomes a priority of government at all levels, Scotland will have a third feather in its hat for hosting a thriving tech sector, and 
political leaders will be able to boast of delivering a diversified economy supporting
high-skilled, high-wage job growth.

Martin Brown

EMC (UK)

Almondvale Way

Livingston