19 November 2025 | Session One: Transforming Public Services through Digital Leadership
8:15 AM – 9:00 AM
Registration and Refreshments
9:00 AM – 9:10 AM
Chair's Welcome & Introduction
Alison McLaughlin, (Chair), Digital Transformation Strategist
Alison is a recognised Digital leader in Scotland with a wealth of experience of many ground-breaking digital programmes across the public sector. She has worked with many organisations across the Justice sector including Disclosure Scotland, Scottish Prison Service, Scottish Courts and Crown Office. Her experience also includes a 2.5 year secondment as Head of the Digital Transformation Division of the SG Digital Directorate, during which she was involved in the Digital Justice DESC programme.
Alison is a former Chair of ScotlandIS and now works as a digital transformation strategist working with public and private sector to drive digitally enabled change.
9:10 AM – 9:40 AM
Fireside Chat
Modern Digital Government in the Era of AI.
Geoff Huggins, Director of Digital,
Scottish Government
Geoff Huggins is Director for Digital at the Scottish Government. Previously he was Director of the NHS Education Scotland Digital Service working to create the NHS National Digital Platform. From 2013 to 2018 he was Director for Health and Social Care Integration and from 2017 to 2018 also Director for Digital Health and Social Care. Prior to that he was Head of Mental Health for nine years. From 1991 to 1998 he worked for the Northern Ireland Office working on security and political development. He holds degrees in law and criminology from Queen’s University, Belfast. He is a non-executive director of Cornerstone, Penumbra and the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership. He runs a little, takes photographs and watches films.
Martyn Wallace, Chief Digital Officer,
Digital Office for Scottish Local Government
Martyn founded the Digital Office back in 2016 to create and support accelerated digital change in partnership with Scottish councils in delivering critical front-line services whilst also balancing budgets. Martyn is the Senior Responsible Officer for Digital Telecare, working in close partnership with Technology Enabled Care, Scottish Government and Health & Care colleagues. Alongside his Digital Office duties, Martyn is chair of the Scottish Government’s Digital Identity Programme. Before founding the Digital Office, Martyn enjoyed a rich and varied career, consulting with Private and Public Sector clients, whilst working for tech companies including Capita Secure Digital Solutions, Telefonica O2UK, BlackBerry, Computacenter, and Compaq - leading on digital innovation projects that drive real change.
9:40 AM – 9:55 AM
Local Government and the AI Revolution
Theo Blackwell MBE, Chief Digital Officer for London and GDS Local Government Advisor,
UK Government
Appointed in 2017 as London's first Chief Digital Officer, Theo leads on London-wide digital transformation, data and smart city initiatives for the Mayor of London. Theo’s approach builds innovation capability through better digital connectivity through the Connected London programme (2017-); collaboration across 32 boroughs via the London Office of Technology and Innovation (2019-) and joined- up city data with the Data for London Library (2025-) to address the challenges faced by the city - such as growth, Net Zero and homelessness - as well as preparing for advances in AI and other emerging technologies. In 2025 Theo led the Local government collaboration sprint for the new Government Digital Service.
9:55 AM – 10:10 AM
Leading with Purpose in a Digital World
How do we equip our leaders with the skills required for the future?
Hayden Edwards, SWAN Director,
BT Business
Hayden Edwards is the Director of the Scottish Wide Area Network (SWAN) for BT Business, with accountability for all aspects of BT performance including service, delivery, contract performance, service evolution and innovation. Before this, he led Business Development in Scotland for BT, including go to market strategy and leading strategic major business deals, across Health, Government, Emergency services, Local Councils and Universities.
Hayden has been at BT since 2009 and has worked in a variety of roles covering Major Deal Architecture, Programme Delivery, Contract Management, IT transformation and as Chief Technology Officer for Local Government. Having worked in public sector for over 20 years, he has developed significant insight into the challenges of transforming citizen experiences using technology and communication solutions. A creative and innovative thinker, he enjoys bringing practical thinking to customer challenges, and firmly believes in not just doing the same things differently – but doing different things.
Hayden is a Community Councillor for his local Ward in East Lothian, taking a particular interest in digital inclusion and how technology can support education and place based transformation. An undergraduate and recent Masters graduate from the University of Aberdeen Business School, he now lives in Aberlady with his wife and two children. Oustide of work, he is a lifelong rugby fan, having played and refereed at all levels of the game. Any other spare time is spent on his home golf course at Craigielaw.
10:10 AM – 10:25 AM
10:25 AM – 10:55 AM
Digital Working for All
A New Dawn for Scotland’s Public Services.
Ivan McKee, Minister for Public Finance,
Scottish Government
Ivan McKee was appointed Minister for Public Finance in May 2024 where he supports the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government.
His career has involved a number of senior roles in manufacturing and business, managing companies in the UK as well as Poland, Finland, Croatia and Bosnia.
Early in his career, Ivan spent two years with VSO in Bangladesh. He is currently a trustee of the charity CEI, which supports education and health projects in Bangladesh.
Ivan has been MSP for Glasgow Provan since May 2016. He was brought up in Glasgow where he studied at the University of Strathclyde. He also studied at the University of Newcastle.
He was previously the Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation and Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise.
Cllr Katie Hagmann, Resources Spokesperson,
COSLA
Councillor Katie Hagmann is the COSLA Resources Spokesperson. Katie Hagmann was born and educated in Edinburgh. She holds a BSc with Distinction in Complementary Therapies from Napier University and completed a Master’s degree in Social Anthropology at the University of Edinburgh in 2023. Elected to Dumfries and Galloway Council in 2017, Katie has developed extensive experience across a broad portfolio. She currently holds the position of Convener of Dumfries and Galloway Council, Civic Head, and Depute Political Leader, leading a minority administration. Her previous roles within council include Joint Lead for the Finance, Procurement and Transformation Committee, where she worked cross-party to co-produce Council budgets. She has also served as Chair of the Economy & Resources Committee and Chair of the Harbours Committee. Appointed by council, Katie has chaired the Local Employability Partnership and has been a member of the North Channel Partnership Group and the Dumfries and Galloway Housing Forum.
10:55 AM – 11:20 AM
Networking and Refreshments
11:20 AM – 12:30 PM
Parallel Masterclasses Sessions
12:30 PM – 1:25 PM
19 November 2025 | Session Four: Leadership Streams
1:25 PM – 2:45 PM
Digital Transformation: From Strategy to Reality, and Everything in Between
A look at real-world journeys from high-level vision to practical implementation—spotlighting lessons learned and what success looks like.
Alisdair Gunn, (Chair), Director,
Glasgow City Innovation District
Alisdair is recognised by his peers as one of Scotland’s prominent professional advisers amongst Scotland’s technology, digital and engineering sectors. Alisdair leads the development of Glasgow City Innovation District - Scotland’s leading Innovation District and is the founder of Framewire, Scotland’s first advisory practice focused on developing Scotland’s Digital and Tech Ecosystem. Alisdair dedicates his time to supporting founders create, develop, invest, and scale their tech, digital or deep tech business and through Glasgow City Innovation District, is guiding the development of Glasgow’s Tech Sector as Scotland’s leading Innovation Hub. Alisdair led the creation of the first tech week for a Scottish City - Glasgow Tech Week and is the co-founder of the internationally acclaimed Turing Festival (now Turing Fest). At the inaugural Scottish Tech Startup Awards, Alisdair was awarded Scotland’s first Tech Ecosystem award where his peers independently recognised his expertise and commitment to developing Scotland's Tech Ecosystem. Alisdair has also been awarded the Principal's Special Award for his outstanding contribution to the success of the University of Strathclyde and was a Barclays Entrepreneur of the Year finalist for Scotland. Alisdair is an Independent board advisor to Barclays Eagle Labs and is a strategic advisor to Amiqus and VeryConnect and member of Johnston Carmichael’s Tech Advisory Board.
Jamie MacLaren, Business Development Manager, Scottish Public Sector,
Leidos
Jamie brings a wealth of experience from over two decades in technology delivery, technology leadership, and innovative digital solutions.
A significant portion of his career has been dedicated to supporting governments in their digital transformation journeys, on both UK and international platforms.
Currently steering business development in Scotland for Leidos, Jamie plays a pivotal role in advancing technological solutions tailored for the Scottish Public Sector. His extensive career has seen him at the nexus of both prominent global IT entities and a dynamic Scottish scale-up, offering a depth of perspective based on extensive experience in the digital realm.
In a notable stint with a leading IT consultancy, Jamie was instrumental in driving digital transformation programmes for the Scottish Government. His expertise was crucial in overseeing application development projects and in architecting transformative service strategies.
Earlier in his journey, Jamie championed several government digital initiatives, from pioneering elections solutions to laying down foundational ICT architecture frameworks.
As he engages with government and industry peers, Jamie consistently brings a synthesis of deep experience and forward-thinking insights, contributing richly to discussions on digital transformation in Scotland and beyond.
Mark Grey, Service Owner for E-Pass & Digital Mailbox,
Scottish Government
A Service Owner in the Digital Directorate in the Scottish Government, currently leading on the delivery of Component-Based Services. This project is about identifying reusable components within the Scottish Government, and building end-to-end services that save time and money as we help move services from legacy services, new legislation needing a component-based solution, or even the replacement of existing services to increase cost savings.
Prior to this he worked in linking data within Warm Scottish Welcome for Local Authorities, and the building of payment and accounting solutions within Social Security Scotland.
Sidsel Bülow Skovborg, Digitalisation Councillor,
Danish Embassy
Sidsel is the newly appointed Digitalisation Councillor at the Danish Embassy with a responsibility for fostering government to government cooperation on public sector digitalisation.
She has a background as Head of Digitalisation in several councils and has worked in KOMBIT, a municipally owned IT company operating critical IT infrastructure and solutions for the 98 Danish municipalities.
Most recently Sidsel has worked as Senior Innovation Manager in DigitalLead at the Danish national cluster organisation for digital technologies.
Matt Robinson, Head of Programme – Nations & Regions,
techUK
Matt joined techUK in June 2021 as Head of Nations & Regions, he leads techUK’s engagement with Devolved Government, Combined Authorities and Elected Mayors across the UK. He works with techUK’s members on growing and strengthening the digital economy across the UK including developing and growing techUK’s Local Digital Index (a tool to map and demonstrate the strength of the tech sector across the UK). He also leads on Devolution, Local Growth Plans, and related policy matters.
Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked for several national education charities and membership bodies to develop their regional partnerships with schools, academy trusts, local authorities, and other stakeholders. Matt is a City Councillor in Leeds and has worked with local authority leaders and other stakeholders to engage communities, work with elected members and improve public services.
1:25 PM – 2:45 PM
How to be Data Ready for the Next Generation of Public Services
Explore the essential steps to ensure data readiness—from foundations to data sharing—empowering future-proofed public service design and delivery.
Sally Kerr, (Chair), Data Transformation Lead,
Scottish Government
Sally Kerr is Data Transformation Lead at the Scottish Government, leading the Data Maturity Programme and helping public sector organisations to improve their data practices and to apply innovative approaches to their challenges. She has worked in the public sector for almost all of her career, leading on digital and data services, data innovation projects with academia and the private sector, as well as partner projects across Europe.
Shona Nicol, Head of the Technical Data Policy Team, Digital Directorate,
Scottish Government
Shona Nicol is the Head of Technical Data Policy at the Scottish Government, leading efforts to strengthen data maturity across Scotland’s public sector. A passionate advocate for the transformational power of data, she champions its role in increasing transparency, empowering communities, and driving innovation. Through her work, Shona shapes policies that enhance the design and delivery of public services, ensuring data is harnessed effectively to improve outcomes for Scotland.
Chris Toop, Director of Digital & Chief Information Officer,
Scottish Water
Chris is Director of Digital and CIO for Scottish Water. He has over 30 years’ experience in the water sector and has held senior positions in Customer Operations, Finance and Capital Investment within Scottish Water over the last 21 years. He is presently accountable for leading the digital transformation of Scottish Water and has a passion for introducing technology and digital innovation that deliver better outcomes for our customers and environment at lower cost and carbon. Chris is a Chartered Civil Engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and holds an Engineering Masters degree from Birmingham University and an MBA from Edinburgh University. Chris won a UK utilities competition to attend the Leadership Programme at Harvard Business School and in 2024 was named one of the UK’s top 50 inspiring individuals leading the charge towards decarbonisation. He is also a Duke of Edinburgh expedition leader.
Sharon Moore MBE, Chief Technology Officer for Public Sector,
IBM
Sharon Moore MBE is IBM Technology’s CTO for Public Sector in the UK, with a personal goal to transform public service through the ethical application of technology and a passion for making the world a better one for all. In her role, she develops technology strategy, delivers technical thought leadership, designs innovative solutions, and builds passionate communities that make a difference. You’ll often find Sharon sharing technical thought leadership – often her perspective on trustworthy AI – and practical advice on how to make innovation a reality for public service.
1:25 PM – 2:45 PM
The Cloud Advantage: Scaling Services with Agility, and Building an Ecosystem for Innovation
Discover how cloud technologies are enabling public sector organisations to modernise infrastructure, drive efficiencies, and collaborate across sectors.
Alison McLaughlin, (Chair), Digital Transformation Strategist
Alison is a recognised Digital leader in Scotland with a wealth of experience of many ground-breaking digital programmes across the public sector. She has worked with many organisations across the Justice sector including Disclosure Scotland, Scottish Prison Service, Scottish Courts and Crown Office. Her experience also includes a 2.5 year secondment as Head of the Digital Transformation Division of the SG Digital Directorate, during which she was involved in the Digital Justice DESC programme.
Alison is a former Chair of ScotlandIS and now works as a digital transformation strategist working with public and private sector to drive digitally enabled change.
David Duncan-Fraser, ScotAccount Operations,
Scottish Government
David Duncan-Fraser leads as the Service Owner for ScotAccount Operations at the Scottish Government, overseeing the delivery of ScotAccount to service customers and the public. With over a decade of experience working in digital transformation, he has contributed to significant change programs such as the criminal justice response to COVID-19, digital evidence sharing for prosecutions, and online access and identity verification. David is known for his commitment to user-centred service development, emphasising that effective transformation integrates people, technology, and processes seamlessly.
Laura Whiteside, Product & Design Lead,
Disclosure Scotland
Laura Whiteside is the Product and Design Lead at Disclosure Scotland, where she drives the development of digital services that help safeguard the people of Scotland. She has played a key role in reimagining and modernising the disclosure service in preparation for legislative change. Moving away from paper and building digital products across Disclosure Scotland’s entire user base that are inclusive, user-centred, and future-ready. Passionate about public service innovation, she ensures that technology supports the organisation's mission to protect vulnerable groups and enable safe, informed recruitment decisions.
Jess McEvoy, Principal Consultant,
Scott Logic
Jessica McEvoy has spent over two decades making technology work better for people. From building digital wallets and proof-of-age apps to launching identity and payments platforms used by millions, Jess thrives on designing products that improve lives – and on making the journey as energising as the results.
She’s led teams through government’s toughest challenges, including designing the UK’s first secure cross-government digital identity service and launching emergency platforms during national crises. Today at Scott Logic, she advises governments and global organisations on harnessing AI responsibly, helping leaders cut through hype to build practical, data-driven strategies that deliver real public value.
1:25 PM – 2:45 PM
Digital Labour: From Hype to Impact - Where to Begin?
Imagine having 10 digital colleagues - how would you deploy them? Hear real-world examples of AI Agents transforming public services.
Steph Wright, (Chair), Head
Scottish AI Alliance
Steph has a diverse background ranging from astrophysics to genomics in academia and film & TV to dance in the arts and the third sector. A project and programme management professional, she loves to develop and build collaborations across organisations to help people with their data/AI journey.
Steph led on Data Lab’s efforts in support of the Scottish Government in developing Scotland’s AI Strategy and she’s now leading on the delivery of the strategy’s vision for Scotland to be a leader in the development and use of trustworthy, ethical and inclusive AI. She is also Co-Founder of Diverse AI (a not-for-profit working to increase diversity in AI) and was recognised as one of the 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics in 2023 and one of the Top 10 Women in Tech in Scotland in 2023.
Kevin White, Government CTO, Public Sector UK
Salesforce
Starting his career in the UK Home Office, Kevin has led significant digital transformations across diverse public and private sector organisations. His journey has included leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency and the citizen experience. As UKI Government CTO at Salesforce, Kevin brings a global perspective, drawing insights from AI implementations in public services worldwide. His work centres on translating the potential of AI into tangible, impactful solutions, helping organisations navigate the evolving digital landscape
Albert King, Chief Data Officer,
NHS National Services Scotland (NSS)
Albert King is Chief Data Officer at NHS National Services Scotland (NSS). NHS NSS serves as the data hub for the health and social care economy in Scotland. Through and unrivalled mix of health and social care datasets, professional capability and it's leading cloud technology platform it supports the development of insights with partners, including Public Health Scotland, Health Boards, local and national government. Previously, Albert served as Chief Data Officer in the Scottish Government and draws on over 20 years experience in industry and public sector data and technology.
Nauman Dar, Executive Director Change & Data,
Student Loans Company
Nauman Dar is Executive Director for Change & Data at SLC, appointed in August 2024. He brings over two decades of experience in digital transformation, operational leadership, and strategic programme delivery. A graduate of the University of Strathclyde, Nauman began his career at BT, where he held senior roles across change management and service operations for over 14 years. He subsequently served as PMO Director for EMEA, Professional Services at ARRIS Solutions, leading regional growth initiatives for ARRIS’s IT and Tech clients, and later joined Cigna Healthcare as Deputy Transformation Director, where he oversaw a global digital transformation programme. Prior to joining SLC, he was Director for Major Programmes at Deloitte, delivering complex change for public and private sector clients leveraging digital technologies and advancements to foster innovation. Nauman also serves as a Non-Executive Director at NHS Lanarkshire, supporting its digital strategy, and is actively engaged in youth development and mentoring.
Michelle Hegarty, Deputy Chief Executive,
The Scottish Parliament
Michelle has been the Deputy Chief Executive at the Scottish Parliament for over a decade. In her role she supports the Clerk/Chief Executive to run the Parliament, line managing the senior executive team, who oversee all operational business areas.
Her focus is across strategic planning and delivery, strategic resource management, effective governance and delivery of significant programmes of change as well as being a senior advisor to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB). This has included in recent years the management of a range of issues and incidents, including leading the organisational covid response and recovery. She has also led a number of organisational reviews and change programmes, including the New Ways of Working programme which shifted the organisation towards a hybrid model of parliamentary business and more flexible working, and more recently a programme considering improved efficiency.
Michelle graduated with an honour’s degree in law from Queen’s University Belfast, and with a master’s degree in Public Affairs from Stirling University; she also holds a post graduate Certificate in Management from Glasgow Caledonian University. In her previous career she worked within the public and voluntary sectors and has experience as a non-executive director across a range of sectors.
1:25 PM – 2:45 PM
Enabling Economic Renewal through Digital Connectivity in Remote and Rural Communities
Investing in fast, reliable networks to support thriving local economies, address demographic challenges, and deliver on Scotland’s net zero ambitions.
Robbie McGhee, (Chair), Deputy Director, Digital Connectivity,
Scottish Government
Robbie has been Head of the Digital Connectivity Division in the Scottish Government since 2018, leading the delivery of a number of flagship infrastructure projects that are enhancing Scotland’s digital infrastructure and extending access to connectivity. Robbie has worked in several roles across Scottish Government – previously managing European Structural Funds programmes and helping to set up SPRUCE, the first investment fund specifically established to support urban development and regeneration activity in Scotland.
Sarah Eynon, Broadband Programme Director,
Scottish Government
Sarah is Programme Director for broadband initiatives at the Scottish Government. She leads the team delivering the £600m Reaching 100% programme, which is one of the most ambitious digital infrastructure programmes in Europe, taking faster broadband to some of the hardest-to-reach communities in Scotland.
Sarah also leads the team playing a key role in delivering Project Gigabit in Scotland. The UK Government funded scheme, which is being managed by the devolved administration in Scotland, will help extend access to gigabit capable broadband, building upon the successful rollout of R100.
With a commercial background in fibre and mobile deployment, Sarah promotes an inclusive and holistic environment on the regional boards and working groups that she sits on. She’s an advocate of collaboration and brings a unique mix of skills, experience, and knowledge to her work with a keen eye on delivering improved outcomes for the public sector and the citizens of Scotland.
Carolyn Johnson, Director for Devolved Governments,
UK Government
Carolyn is the Regional Lead for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the West Midlands within the Local Relationships and Partnering Team at BDUK. She has led the regional team for six years, working closely with multiple stakeholders across Scotland on various programmes, including Local Full Fibre Networks, the Rural Gigabit Connectivity Programme, and Project Gigabit. Carolyn has worked within the Civil Service for over 20 years.
Barry Fisher, CEO,
Keep Scotland Beautiful
Barry Fisher is the Chief Executive of the Environmental Charity – Keep Scotland Beautiful which inspires Business, Communities, Schools, Organisations and individuals towards environmental action. The Charity has extensive experience of community engagement, direct work with schools and the delivery of Climate Emergency and Nature and Biodiversity Training. KSB is also at the forefront of celebrating where organisations make environmental improvements and is proud to Award the Green Flag for Parks, the Scottish Beach Awards, the National Award for Environmental Excellence, Green Key and the Green Flag for Schools Awards. Raised on the Isle of Arran and now living in Rural Perthshire, Barry has direct knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities. He is a Trustee for The Enchanted Forest Trust, Beyond Srebrenica and is the Secretary of the St. Fillans Community Trust.
Robert Thorburn, Partnership Director,
Openreach
Robert Thorburn serves as Openreach's Partnership Director for Scotland, managing the company's commercial and funded programs to deliver ultrafast broadband to cities, towns, rural villages, and island communities. These include the £600m Reaching 100% and £157m Project Gigabit contracts with the Scottish and UK Governments, along with collaborations with Local Authorities, Housing Associations, and Managing Agents to provide full fibre access in buildings. Robert oversees the direct engagement with various communities through the Fibre Community Partnership programme, which aims to deliver local, co-funded ultrafast digital networks. Robert has nearly 30 years of experience in the IT and communications sector, with extensive expertise in managing large-scale programs. Robert is a member of the Openreach Scotland board, where he is responsible for business development and engagement with senior stakeholders. His duties also include direct media involvement and participation in the steering group for sustainability.
2:45 PM – 3:05 PM
Refreshments & networking
19 November 2025 | Session Five: Leadership Streams
3:05 PM – 4:25 PM
Scotland’s AI Challenge
Spotlighting the winners of the challenge and showcasing cutting-edge AI use cases to drive improvements in Scottish public services.
Alison McLaughlin, (Chair), Digital Transformation Strategist
Alison is a recognised digital leader in Scotland with a wealth of experience of many ground-breaking digital programmes across the public sector. She has worked with many organisations across the Justice sector including Disclosure Scotland, Scottish Prison Service, Scottish Courts and Crown Office. Her experience also includes a 2.5 year secondment as Head of the Digital Transformation Division of the SG Digital Directorate, during which she was involved in the Digital Justice DESC programme.
Alison is a former Chair of ScotlandIS and now works as a digital transformation strategist working with public and private sector to drive digitally enabled change.
Paul McGinness, Founder & Chair,
StormID
Paul is Co-founder of Storm ID, where he leverages over 20 years of experience in leading digital and data transformation. He now focuses on AI strategy development, advising senior leadership and boards across public and private organisations on how to integrate AI into their core products, services, and business processes. Paul’s guidance is grounded in his deep experience with real-world applied AI, particularly in healthcare and the wider public sector, where he has delivered solutions that improve both patient outcomes and service efficiency
Lorna Campbell, Revenues and Benefits Manager,
Dumfries and Galloway Council
Lorna Campbell has worked for Dumfries and Galloway Council since 1988. Beginning her career in Revenues as a Clerical Assistant, she has steadily progressed through the ranks to become Service Manager from 2017, she has a deep commitment to innovation and service excellence in local government. She has been an active member of the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV), gaining professional membership in 2016.
Over the years, Lorna has led numerous transformative initiatives, including the implementation of new software systems and the redesign of operational processes to improve efficiency and responsiveness. She has consistently been focused on modernising service delivery while maintaining a strong connection to community needs and customer service. More recently, she has developed a keen interest in the use of artificial intelligence to drive meaningful efficiencies within the challenging landscape of local government.
Sara Sinclair, Senior Business System Support Engineer,
VisitScotland
Sara Sinclair is a seasoned IT professional with 23 years in the hospitality and tourism sector, including 17 years at VisitScotland - 14 of which have been in IT. She began her journey in a tourist information centre on the west coast of Scotland before moving to Glasgow and joining the IT team. Currently serving as Senior Business Systems Support Engineer – M365, Sara leads strategic direction and adoption of Microsoft 365 tools. In addition to her core responsibilities, Sara has taken a leading role in shaping VisitScotland’s strategic direction for AI. She is driving the adoption of AI opportunities across the organisation, while establishing and overseeing governance principles to ensure responsible implementation.
Craig MacKay, Consultant Colorectal & General Surgeon,
NHS Grampian
Craig Mackay, FRCS (Ed), PhD, is a Consultant Colorectal & General Surgeon at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. He combines over a decade of surgical experience with a strong academic background, holding a PhD in colorectal cancer biology and a degree in sports science. Craig's surgical practice focus's mainly on robotic resections of colorectal cancer. He is part of a team driving innovative projects in AI-driven referral triage and pathway automation. Passionate about improving efficiency, reducing waiting times, and enhancing patient outcomes, he is committed to applying AI to transform healthcare delivery.
3:05 PM – 4:25 PM
Reimagining Citizen Services for the Digital Age
What does ‘great’ look like for citizen experience in 2025? This session explores digital access, culture, personalisation and service design excellence.
Margaret Moore (Chair), Scotland Director,
Sopra Steria
She has spent 30 years at the intersection of technology, strategy, and public services, witnessing and driving change across both large enterprises and agile, fast-moving organisations. Since joining Sopra Steria in 2010, she’s taken on a variety of leadership roles focused on strategy, growth, and delivery - always with the goal of making a real difference in how services work for citizens, consumers, and employees.
At the core of her approach is what she calls "joining the dots" - understanding policies and strategies, applying the right change techniques, and leveraging the right technology to drive impact. Whether through transformational shifts or incremental improvements, she focuses on simplifying user journeys by integrating data, processes, and digital solutions in meaningful ways.
As Scotland Director at Sopra Steria, she leads the organisation’s work across the public and private sectors in Scotland, bringing together our full suite of capabilities - from strategic consulting to cutting-edge digital solutions.
Beyond her professional role, she’s passionate about driving positive societal impact - from inspiring young people to explore careers in IT, to empowering women through leadership programs like Empowering Women to Lead Digital Transformation.
Eilidh McLaughlin, Deputy Director, Digital Ethics, Inclusion and Assurance,
Scottish Government
Eilidh McLaughlin is the Deputy Director for Digital Ethics, Inclusion and Assurance and is head of the Digital Citizen Division. The Division is within the Digital Directorate and covers the Connecting Scotland programme and the Ethical Digital Nation team. It also comprises Information Management and Assurance teams, thus considering digital citizenry from an internal and external perspective. This role combines Eilidh’s previous experience in corporate governance, equalities and information management. The ethos of the Division is to make sure that No One is Left Behind and to ensure that digital work is done in an ethical, inclusive way.
Steven Kyle, Head of Service Design & Development | Agricultural Reform Programme, ARE,
Scottish Government
Steven Kyle is a senior leader in digital transformation and service design, currently working as Head of Service Design and Development within the Scottish Government’s Agriculture and Rural Economy (ARE) Directorate. With over 15 years of experience driving public sector innovation, Steven leads strategic programmes focused on delivering user-centred services and organisational change at scale.
Steven has played a pivotal role in the Agricultural Reform Programme, where he is involved in the design of a Service and Target Operating Model to support Scotland’s evolving agricultural policy landscape. His work ensures future ready structures, capabilities, and processes that balance public value, policy goals, and operational realities.
Prior to joining ARE, Steven worked in the same role within the Social Security Directorate and held senior transformation roles at Dundee City Council and has led digital change initiatives across both public and private sectors, including NHS Scotland, Tesco, and Glasgow 2014.
At Digital Scotland, Steven will share insights from his work on the Agricultural Reform Programme, exploring how Service Design and Target Operating Models are being used to drive innovation, resilience, and better outcomes in public services.
Jayne Purcell, Service Design Lead,
Social Security Scotland
With over 35 years of experience spanning Local Authorities, the NHS, Central Government, and Social Security Scotland, Jayne Purcell brings a wealth of expertise in strategic policy design, service transformation, and operating model innovation. Her career has been defined by a commitment to improving public services through systems thinking, user-centred design, and inclusive digital transformation.
Jayne has led major initiatives across social care, regulatory bodies, NHS commissioning, and social security, consistently delivering accessible, efficient, and impactful services. Her approach blends digital and non-digital solutions to meet diverse user needs, ensuring services are not only technologically advanced but also empathetically designed.
At the heart of Jayne’s work is a belief in designing with—not just for—citizens. She champions iterative design cycles, cross-sector collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making to reimagine how public services can better serve communities in the digital age.
Jonti Dalal-Small, Behaviour Science Lead,
Sopra Steria
Jonti is Behavioural Science Lead at Sopra Steria Next. He is a design thinker, with a rare combination of applied business psychology, human-centred design, and facilitation expertise. He identifies and delivers value from behavioural insights and has an in-depth understanding of organisational behaviour/culture. Jonti is currently redesigning major services by taking an evidence-based, data-driven approach to applying behavioural insights to practical problems and business challenges.
3:05 PM – 4:25 PM
AI in Action
Real-world examples of AI implementation in Scottish and UK public services— and the measurable impact they're having.
Dougie Shirlaw, (Chair), Chief Digital Officer,
COSLA
Dougie Shirlaw is the Chief Digital Officer at the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), where he has spent the past 20 years leading digital transformation across Scotland’s 32 councils. He played a key role in developing myjobscotland, the national recruitment platform that has modernised how public sector organisations attract and recruit talent across the country.
A strong advocate for technology that delivers genuine value, Dougie focuses on turning strategic ambitions into practical, people-centred solutions. His work is guided by a belief that collaboration and shared innovation are essential to building effective and sustainable digital public services.
Ann-Marie Gallacher, Chief Information Officer,
NHS24
Ann-Marie was appointed by NHS 24 as Chief Information Officer in April 2017 leads the Information, Communication and Technology directorate.
Ann-Marie has over twenty years of IT experience and has held a number of senior roles across the public and private sectors including Chief Information Officer for National Trust for Scotland, Chief Information Officer for Care Visions Group, Head of Technology for Glasgow City Council and Compliance and Data Warehousing Manager for National Australia Group Europe. Prior to this Ann-Marie held a number of technology based positions after graduating with a B.Eng in Software Engineering. This was a significant change in having started her career as a State Enrolled Nurse.
Kerry Thorneycroft, Digital & Data Service Manager,
Aberdeenshire Council
Kerry Thorneycroft is Service Manager for Digital and Data at Aberdeenshire Council, where she leads the delivery of large-scale digital transformation initiatives. With over 20 years of experience in both public and private sectors, she has led programmes ranging from customer service platforms and online services to data-driven innovation. Her leadership has been key to driving forward Aberdeenshire’s Data Hub, rolling out automation, introducing CoPilot, embedding enterprise architecture and embracing digital change across the organisation.
Beginning her career in project management she has built deep expertise in programme delivery and change leadership. She recently completed a Business degree with distinction, earning a place on the Dean’s List. At Digital Scotland, she will share Aberdeenshire’s journey with automation and AI — including how the council has embraced emerging technologies responsibly, with clear guardrails and a focus on practical impact.
She lives in Aberdeenshire with her husband and their dog Ruby.
Owen Griffiths, Legislation Team Leader,
Scottish Government
Owen Griffiths is a Legislation team leader, responsible for further regulation and licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures. In this role Owen led the consultation process which piloted the use of the UK Government’s Incubator for AI tool Consult. Owen is currently managing a Scottish Parliament Bill and related secondary legislation to put into force the proposals that were refined through that consultation.
Owen has worked in a variety of different roles in Scottish Government, covering a range of policy areas.
Suzanne Angell, Public Sector Director,
Scott Logic
Suzanne Angell has spent over 20 years advising the Public Sector on how technology can transform their services and currently heads up the Scott Logic public sector business. She has worked with many organisations across the Public Sector including Scottish Government, HM Courts and Tribunals, Department for Work and Pensions and HM Land Registry.
She is passionate about innovation and delivering solutions that enable the public sector to become more self-sufficient. She brings a deep understanding of the challenges of accelerating delivery in the public sector and enjoys taking an active role in supporting Scott Logic’s customers.
3:05 PM – 4:25 PM
Securing the Future: Building Layered Cyber Resilience in Public Sector Digital Infrastructure.
Strategies for managing evolving cyber threats, embedding Zero Trust, and creating a secure foundation for digital delivery.
Jude McCorry (Chair), Chief Executive,
Cyber and Fraud Centre - Scotland
Jude McCorry is CEO of the Cyber and Fraud Centre - Scotland. She has over 20 years' experience in the Technology sector and started her career with Dell computers in Ireland, she joined the Cyber and Fraud Centre - Scotland in April 2020 from The Data Lab where she was Director of Business Development working with industry and academia to maximise the value of data for Scotland.
She is one of the founders of the Unicef Data Hub for Children, and always ensures there is a social aspect to everything she does in order to benefit the people of Scotland or further afield. Jude is a board member of Parkinson’s Scotland and the Policy Board at SCDI.
Alan Gray, Head of National Cyber Security and Resilience,
Scottish Government
Alan Gray is the Head of National Cyber Security and Resilience for The Scottish Government. A Security leader with over 15 years of experience within government, professional and public sector organisations, Alan has managed a wide range of security activities from strategic capability development to operational response. Previously as Chief Information Security Officer for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with responsibility for the cyber security of all core technologies and services both at home and across posts and embassies worldwide, he was also a member of the Government Security Board as representative for the CISO community across government. Drawing on past experience in National Security, academia, central government and the private sector, Alan has joined the Scottish Government to drive the consolidation and expansion of Scotland’s cyber security and cyber resilience activities, and to lead the Scottish Cyber Coordination Centre (SC3).
Nils Krichel, Head of Service, Information Security & Governance,
NHS National Services Scotland
Nils Krichel is Head of Service for Information Security and Governance at NHS National Services Scotland (NSS). NSS hosts the Cyber Centre of Excellence (CCoE), NHS Scotland's national cybersecurity capability, providing crucial security solutions and operational support to all Scottish Health Boards. Through close partnerships across the public and private sectors, the CCoE is uniquely positioned to develop and deploy cybersecurity services that support a strategic, coordinated, and progressive approach to keeping NHS Scotland's national digital infrastructure safe. Nils joined NSS in 2023, having previously spent over 15 years helping Scottish high-tech SMEs on their digital transformation journeys.
Murat Dilek, Senior Manager/ Digital, Technology, and Resilience
Falkirk Council
I am passionate about keeping organizations secure in the face of ever-evolving cyber threats. With years of experience in the industry, I have developed a deep understanding of the complex nature of enterprise network and cyber security, and the importance of staying one step ahead of potential risks. As a leader, I believe in fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for my team, where open communication, creativity, and innovation are encouraged. I prioritize the ongoing professional development of my team members and empower them to take ownership of their work, while providing guidance and support as needed. In my role, I am committed to working closely with stakeholders across the organization to ensure that security policies and procedures are aligned with business goals and objectives. I understand the critical role that security plays in enabling business success, and I am dedicated to delivering solutions that meet both security and operational requirements.
Ben Jennings, Head of Solutions Engineering,
4Secure
Ben helps organisations securely access their most critical data while protecting the environments where it matters most. He works with a broad range of stakeholders, from highly technical teams to senior business leaders, addressing complex security and operational challenges and enabling confident, risk-aware decisions while ensuring critical systems remain resilient
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
SESSION SIX: Fireside chat - Evolving with Purpose:
Advancing Public Services in the Digital Age
Joe Griffin, Permanent Secretary,
Scottish Government
Joe has been working for the Scottish Government since 2004. His roles include being Director-General for Strategy and External Affairs and Director-General Education and Justice.
His experience includes:
- Director, Safer Communities
- Director, Early Learning and Childcare
- Acting Director for Fair Work
- Deputy Director, Creating Positive Futures (Children and Families)
- Head of Reducing Reoffending
- Principal Private Secretary to the First Minister
Earlier in his career, Joe was a diplomat at the UK Government Foreign and Commonwealth Office which included postings to New York and Paris.
Joe is married with three children and lives in Edinburgh. Joe believes deeply in the potential of government in Scotland to deliver good outcomes and improve people’s lives.
Kristina Miskowiak Beckvard,
Ambassador of Denmark to the United Kingdom
As a member of the Danish Foreign Service since 1998, Kristina Miskowiak Beckvard has had several postings in Europe. She was Ambassador to Sweden before taking up her posting as Ambassador to the United Kingdom in July 2025. Earlier in her career she was Ambassador to Estonia and was also posted to Vienna and Paris. In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Copenhagen she has had several managing positions and she has covered subjects ranging from security policy and legal affairs to gender equality and refugee matters as well as European and Nordic Affairs. She brings extensive experience in international relations, having worked closely in bilateral relations as well as with several multinational organisations including the EU, NATO, the United Nations and the OSCE.
Beyond her diplomatic career, Kristina has authored two books: Freedom of Speech and Responsibility (DJØF Publishing, 1998, in Danish) and The International Criminal Court: Consent, Complementarity and Cooperation (DJØF Publishing, 2000).
Kristina has maintained a warm connection to the United Kingdom since her postgraduate legal studies at King’s College London and Magdalene College at the University of Cambridge. She also has a keen personal interest in music and art history.
Kristina is married and has two children (and two dogs).
5:00 PM
![FSAP[1]](https://futurescot.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/FSAP1-qfhp9xqqvhxy35019lrg95wf6q89xq8sbhn0ahvgag.png "FSAP[1]")
