Leading tech figures have been invited to help shape Scotland’s post-covid economic future, according to new government plans.
Gaming entrepreneur Chris van der Kuyl and former Skyscanner executive Mark Logan are among a panel of experts appointed to advise the Scottish Government on pandemic recovery and net zero aims.
They will be part of a 17-strong advisory council which also includes international economist Mariana Mazzucato and Dame Sharon White, chair of high street retail giant John Lewis.
The 10-year economic transformation strategy will focus on how to ‘unleash’ Scotland’s entrepreneurial potential, prioritising investment in the industries of the future and creating green jobs.
Economy secretary Kate Forbes said: “As we emerge from the pandemic, we must work together to seize Scotland’s potential and build an economy for everyone by delivering greater, greener and fairer prosperity.
“The pandemic has led to fundamental shifts in sectors such as retail, and changed the way many businesses operate with more online trading and remote working. We need to build on these innovations and guide our economy to the industries and opportunities of the future.
“Our 10 year National Strategy for Economic Transformation will utilise the expertise of business, trade unions and economists to deliver a focussed plan of actions and projects to help transform our economy and help us reach net zero.
Chaired by the economy Secretary, the advisory council consists of 17 members who will work over the summer and early Autumn to put forward bold ideas on how to transform the Scottish economy.
After the strategy is published later this year a smaller group of members will be asked to oversee its implementation. The members of the Advisory Council are:
| Maggie McGinlay | CEO of Energy Transition Zone |
| Lynne Cadenhead | Chair of Women’s Enterprise Scotland |
| Chris van der Kuyl | Founder, owner and chairman of 4J Studios |
| Sean McGrath | CEO of Entrepreneurial Scotland |
| Dame Sharon White | Chair of John Lewis Partnership |
| Mark Logan | CEO of Skyscanner |
| Nick MacPherson | Former Permanent Secretary to the Treasury. |
| Sir Anton Muscatelli | Principal of the University of Glasgow |
| Jamie Grant | Managing Director and Head of Corporate Banking Scotland |
| Roz Foyer | General Secretary of the Scottish Trades Unions Congress (STUC) |
| Professor Graeme Roy | Dean of External Engagement at University of Glasgow |
| Jackie Brierton | CEO of GrowBiz |
| Cllr John Alexander | Chair of Scottish Cities Alliance and Leader of Dundee Council. |
| Mark Blyth | Director of the William R. Rhodes Centre for International Economics and Finance at Brown University. |
| Mariana Mazzucato | Professor in the Economics of Innovation and Public Value, University College London, and founder of the UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose. |
| Emma Parton | Founder of Highland Soap company |