Scotland's Technology Council 2025-26 Report

Annex A: Scotland’s Technology Council - Terms of Reference

(as of May 2025)

1. Purpose/Remit

1.1. The Council for Emerging Technologies is a non-statutory advisory committee of independent members set up to provide advice to the Scottish Government. Its purpose is to harness the expertise of industry, academia, and the wider tech community to ensure technology is at the heart of a thriving economic future, and supporting us to overcome challenges in climate change, health and the cost of living.

1.2. The Council will support that ambition by:

a) Providing expert advice to the Minister for Business and the wider government on the key priorities, opportunities, and challenges facing Scotland’s tech sector and businesses.

b) Advising on emerging technological trends with the greatest potential to drive economic growth, and identifying the sectors where Scotland holds a competitive advantage.

c) Facilitating open dialogue and collaboration between industry, academia, and government, building on existing initiatives where they add value, and driving fresh action where gaps remain.

d) Sharing relevant research, insight, and business expertise with the Scottish Government to inform policy and decision-making.

e) Acting as ambassadors for Scottish technology, promoting its strengths and opportunities on the international stage.

2. Council Membership

2.1. Members will sit on the Council in a personal and voluntary capacity, not representing their organisation or any affiliation (though are expected to draw on their professional experience as appropriate).

2.2. The Council is led by the Scottish Government and chaired by the Minister for Business. The Chair may seek support from members of the Council, including leading Council discussions on specific issues, supporting agendas and driving forward the work of the Council between meetings.

2.3. Council members are appointed by the Minister for Business and are drawn from industry leaders or academics who have influence and experience within a specific technological field and/or experience in international markets.

2.4. Members are invited to sit on the Council for up to three years, which constitutes one term. Membership will be reviewed regularly by the Chair and SG officials to ensure engagement, expertise and emerging areas of priority are covered by appropriate Council membership.

2.5. The Council will meet three times a year.

2.6. Although full, in-person attendance is preferable, where a Member is unable to attend, they can join remotely.

2.7. The core membership is as follows:

• Jim Rowan
• Prof. Qammer Abbasi, Professor of Applied Electromagnetics & Sensing, University of Glasgow
• Professor Caroline Barelle, CEO, Elasmogan
• Michael Boniface, group CEO Kythera AI & Intelligent Artefacts
• Catriona Campbell, AI Client Strategy Leader, EY
• Sherry Coutu, Senior Independent Non-Executive Director, Raspberry Pi Trading
• Gerard Cunningham, Board Member, Stem, Inc
• Sheila Flavell CBE, President TechUK
• Sheryl Newman, Founder and CEO, Appetite for Business
• Peter Proud, CEO and Founder, Forrit
• Prof. Michael Rovatsos, Professor of Artificial Intelligence, University of Edinburgh
• Prof. Ifor Samuel, Professor of Physics, University of St Andrews
• Dr Graham Spittle, Dean of Innovation, University of Edinburgh
• Prof. Melissa Terras, Professor of Digital Cultural Heritage, University of Edinburgh
• Elizabeth Vega OBE, CEO, Informed Solutions

3. Meetings

3.1. The Council will be supported by a small Secretariat formed of civil servants from the Directorate for Economic Development.

3.2. The Secretariat will support the Council by arranging and minuting meetings, facilitating and coordinating papers and providing guidance to the Council.

3.3. Agendas will be set by officials from the Directorate for Economic Development, on the advice of the Minister for Business and with input from Council members.

3.4. Officials from the Directorate for Economic Development will attend Council meetings to provide information to inform the Council members’ discussion as well as to provide the Secretariat function.

3.5. Other Ministers may be invited to attend on the agreement of the Minister for Business where there are relevant agenda items.

3.6. The Chair may, from time to time, extend an invitation to other individuals to attend meetings, based on the agenda items before the Council.

4. Communications

4.1. A summary of Council meetings will be published on the Scottish Government website and will reflect discussions on a non-attributable basis.

4.2. The Minister for Business is the primary spokesperson for any contact with the media.

4.3. If a member of the Council is approached by the media on behalf of the Council, this should be referred to the Secretariat for advice.

4.4. If a member is engaging with the media in a personal or professional capacity and is identified as a member of the Council, it should be made clear that the individual’s view is not necessarily that of the Council and that the Council does not represent Scottish Government policy.

4.5. Membership of the Council will be published on the Scottish Government website.