The Data Lab, has appointed a new chairperson “to help deliver on its mission to help Scotland generate significant economic and social value from cutting-edge analytics and data science”.

Mark Hunter, chief data officer and director of labs at Sainsbury’s Bank, takes over the position of chair from Neil Logan, Chief Executive of Incremental Group, who is standing down after four years in the role.

“Neil has been with The Data Lab since 2014 and has helped us achieve a huge amount in a short period of time,” said Gillian Docherty Chief Executive of The Data Lab, who has just been named Digital Leader of the Year 2018.

“It is fantastic that Mark is now stepping up from his board position to take on the position of Chair. He’s a leading light in Scotland’s ever-growing data landscape and his stewardship will be pivotal in driving our ongoing success.”

Mark Hunter commented: “These are very exciting times for The Data Lab as we look to build on our achievements so far. I am delighted to be working with such an ambitious Governance Board and the Data Lab team who share my enthusiasm for the future. I look forward to helping drive our collective vision.”

Hunter has over 20 years of experience in analytics. He held roles internationally, working in China, Hong Kong and Australia before returning to his native Scotland to take up the Chief Data Officer role at Sainsbury’s Bank in 2016. He has previously worked for Coles, Teradata and Royal Bank of Scotland.

Neil Logan added: “It has been a huge privilege to have served as the founding chair of The Data Lab.  Even prior to inception the opportunity the organisation had was clear. Over the last four years it has been so exciting to see the organisation, led by the indomitable Gillian Docherty, capitalise on that opportunity and become a real beacon for data science with global reach and impact.

“In Mark Hunter I hand over to a new Chair who brings a wealth of capability and experience which will help propel the organisation onto even bigger and better things.”