The Data Lab, Scotland’s Innovation Centre for data science and artificial intelligence (AI), has strengthened its Governance Board with the appointment of five new members from industry.

The Governance Board, which monitors the Innovation Centre’s progress and decides upon strategic areas for investment, will be joined by David Shaw, Tesco Bank; Zoe Webster, InnovateUK; John Brodie, founder of Aquila Insight; Dr Helen Brown, Non-Executive Director; and consultant Grant Smith.

The appointments come after The Data Lab recently announced its selection by the Scottish Government to lead on co-ordinating a new nationwide strategy which will drive the use of artificial intelligence to improve the wellbeing of Scotland’s people, as well as unlocking a potential £13bn in additional economic output.

The new members, which are now all in post, bring with them a wealth of experience in the public, private and third sectors and will play a significant role in shaping The Data Lab’s future strategy.

David Shaw, Director of Marketing and Customer Strategy at Tesco Bank, has over 20 years’ experience in financial services, digital disruption, strategy and operations and currently leads Tesco Bank’s digital proposition, while Innovate UK’s Director of AI and Data Economy, Zoe Webster, is a leader in developing cutting-edge AI and data research, and is an expert in identifying and supporting high-growth innovation potential in the UK. 

Founder of data science company Aquila Insight, John Brodie, also joins the Governance Board with Dr Helen Brown, who has almost 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry, as well as Grant Smith, a data analytics consultant.  

In addition to the Governance Board, The Data Lab has appointed new members to its two other advisory boards, The Innovation Advisory Board and The Skills Advisory Board, which recommend best practice, new innovations and shape strategy. 

Gillian Docherty, CEO of The Data Lab, said: “We are pleased to welcome some of Scotland’s most experienced and well-respected experts in data science and AI to our Governance Board, as The Data Lab enters a new and exciting phase of leading Scotland’s overall AI strategy. 

“Our goal is to fuel innovation through collaboration, something that is mirrored by the range and wealth of experience on our Governance Board, who are skilled in identifying key areas of growth to unlock Scotland’s potential as a thriving data science community.”