Event roundup: Scotland’s Digital Strategy – webinar
This webinar explored Scotland’s refreshed digital strategy, digital public services delivery plan and forthcoming AI strategy, with insight from the Scottish Government and the Digital Office for Scottish Local Government. Speakers outlined priorities around interoperability, reusable public sector solutions and AI-driven growth, alongside opportunities for industry engagement and collaboration.
techUK was delighted to welcome members and partners to our webinar exploring Scotland’s refreshed Digital Strategy, Digital Public Services Delivery Plan and upcoming AI Strategy.
Chaired by Stephanie Barr, Programme Manager for SME Engagement and Nations & Regions at techUK, the session brought together senior leaders from across the Scottish Government and local government to provide insight into the most topical strategies and delivery plans shaping Scotland’s digital future.
Our speakers:
Becca Fairless, Head of Digital Strategy & Policy, Scottish Government
Dr Colin Birchenall, Chief Technology Officer, Digital Office for Scottish Local Government
Chris Boyland, Head of AI & Digital Growth, Scottish Government
Setting the scene
Stephanie opened the session by outlining the purpose of the webinar and the significance of Scotland’s national digital vision. With digital transformation at the heart of Scotland’s approach to economic growth and public service reform, this conversation offered members a chance to understand current and upcoming priorities, and how to engage with future policy development and implementation.
The refreshed Digital Strategy
Becca and Colin began by setting out the rationale behind refreshing Scotland’s 2021 digital strategy. Several key drivers shaped the update:
1. Technological Change – especially AI
The pace of innovation since 2021, particularly the rise of generative AI and advanced analytics, has created new opportunities for public services to increase productivity, improve outcomes and operate more sustainably.
2. Post‑pandemic realities
Public services now face increased demand, constrained budgets and a need to find more efficient, preventative and person‑centred ways of working.
3. Alignment with the First Minister’s Public Service Reform agenda
Digital is positioned as a core enabler of reform - helping to build integrated, outcome‑focused services that are efficient, resilient and built around users.
4. A stronger focus on delivery
Political leaders have placed a strong emphasis on transparency, accountability and making demonstrable progress - leading to a clearer delivery plan with defined actions, timelines and ownership.
A shared vision
A major theme across Becca and Colin’s presentations was collaboration. The strategy is jointly owned by the Scottish Government and local government - an approach they described as unique in the UK.
Rather than high‑level aspirations, the partnership is now underpinned by:
shared goals
defined responsibilities
joint reporting
clearer pathways for industry engagement
This approach aims to reduce duplication, pool expertise and ensure more coherent public‑sector demand for digital and data capabilities.
Structure of the new Strategy
Becca walked attendees through the architecture of the updated strategy:
1. A high‑level Vision (already published)
This concise document sets long‑term ambition across three thematic pillars:
Empowering people through inclusion and digital skills
Driving innovation and growth through a strong digital economy
Delivering trusted, high‑quality public services
2. A series of nested delivery plans
These will be updated every 2 - 3 years and will cover:
Digital public services (already published)
Economy and AI (next to be published)
Inclusion
Education and skills
3. A commitment to transparency and progress updates
Annual reports will track delivery against the plan and keep stakeholders informed.
Digital public services deliver plan: key priorities
Colin outlined several core areas within the Digital Public Services Delivery Plan:
Common solutions and reuse
A renewed push to “build once and use many times,” supported by a new catalogue of reusable solutions to help public bodies adopt existing tools rather than create new ones.
Data access and interoperability
Improved data sharing and streamlined information governance to support preventative services, analytics and the adoption of AI.
Advanced technologies
Through CivTech and regional innovation programmes, the public sector will partner with industry to explore AI, Internet of Things and digital twin technologies to drive better outcomes, not just efficiencies.
Workforce and Leadership
Ensuring leadership capability, digital skills, and organisational culture keep pace with technological change.
Scotland’s upcoming AI strategy
Chris Boyland then set out plans for the new AI Strategy for Scotland, which is expected to be published (before the Scottish parliamentary elections) on 20 March.
Key points included:
Purpose: harness AI for good to drive sustainable economic growth across all sectors.
Scotland’s strengths: academic leadership in AI research, a trusted public sector, strong renewable energy potential for infrastructure, and a highly connected innovation ecosystem.
Economic opportunity: AI could add £19.3 billion to Scotland’s GDP by 2035.
Three-phase delivery:
Phase 1: foundational and readiness
Phase 2: scaling and deepening
Phase 3: mainstreaming and sustainable impact
The AI Stack: an eight‑layer model covering everything from semiconductors to end‑users, supported by data and regulation.
Chris emphasised ongoing engagement with industry and a commitment to continuous iteration given the rapid development of the technology.
Engagement, procurement and SME involvement
During the Q&A, attendees raised important questions about:
Procurement predictability
Suppliers expressed interest in early visibility of tender pipelines to support more strategic preparation. Colin committed to taking this back to procurement colleagues.
SME engagement
Chris highlighted plans for ongoing consultation, including monitoring frameworks and user/experience panels to capture qualitative feedback from SMEs over time.
Bringing digital strategies to life across government
Becca and Colin described ongoing work to embed digital thinking across leadership groups, elected members, and non-digital teams through clearer communication, storytelling and strategic engagement.
Closing remarks
Stephanie wrapped up the session by thanking speakers and attendees, noting techUK’s continuing work on AI regulation and engagement with governments across the UK. Members were encouraged to share feedback on the strategies and any ideas on what they would like to see techUK work on in the future.
Stephanie Barr
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie is the Programme Manager for SME Engagement and Nations & Regions at techUK.
Working across the two programmes, Stephanie develops activities to support the growth and development of tech SMEs and engages with members and stakeholders more broadly to help strengthen regional tech economies.
Prior to joining techUK, Stephanie worked for a political events company and as a Senior Caseworker for an MP. She holds an MA (HONS) in Politics from the University of Glasgow.
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys travelling, climbing and playing squash.
techUK champions the tech sector throughout the UK. We work with local authorities, devolved government, and local and national policy makers to advocate for the tech sector in strengthening economic growth and resilience across the nations and regions. Visit the programme page here
techUK Devolved Government Manifesto for pursuing economic growth, a thriving tech sector and digital at the heart of public services
This manifesto sets out techUK’s priorities for devolved governments, focusing on driving economic growth, supporting a thriving tech sector and placing digital at the heart of public services. It outlines practical policy actions and opportunities for collaboration to help technology deliver better outcomes for people, places and the economy.
techUK is delighted to publish the 2025 edition of our Local Digital Index. This is the fifth edition of the Index and provides updated data, new insights and a more user-friendly set of maps to help all those using the tool to inform their work and support decision making.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Matt is leading techUK’s work with members and stakeholders across the UK to increase the Local Digital Capital across the UK’s nation and regions, build communities and to ensure that digital technology plays a key part the post-COVID-19 levelling-up recovery.
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. He’s also worked with local authority leaders and other stakeholders to engage communities, work with elected members and improve public services.
He holds a BA in Politics from the University of York and an MA in International Relations from the University of Leeds. Away from work he’s a keen football fan and golfer.
If you’d like to find out more about our work in the nations and regions please get in touch with Matt:
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie Barr
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie is the Programme Manager for SME Engagement and Nations & Regions at techUK.
Working across the two programmes, Stephanie develops activities to support the growth and development of tech SMEs and engages with members and stakeholders more broadly to help strengthen regional tech economies.
Prior to joining techUK, Stephanie worked for a political events company and as a Senior Caseworker for an MP. She holds an MA (HONS) in Politics from the University of Glasgow.
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys travelling, climbing and playing squash.
Programme Manager – Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Luke Newcombe
Programme Manager – Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Luke joined techUK in September 2025 as a Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions.
Luke works closely with members and stakeholders across industry and government at local, regional and national levels to support collaboration, drive innovation and strengthen tech-enabled public services. His work supports the development of strong local and regional tech economies by helping organisations to engage with public sector challenges, explore emerging technologies and build impactful partnerships.
Prior to joining techUK, Luke worked at Enterprise Ireland, the Irish government’s export development agency. He began by advising SMEs on export strategy to the UK and later focused on connecting Irish businesses with multinational organisations to foster strategic partnerships, drive international growth and support economic development.
Luke holds an MSc in Political Economy from the University of Amsterdam and a BA in European Studies from Trinity College Dublin.
