Our team
The Data-Driven Innovation initiative has helped establish - and exists to support - five data-driven innovation ‘hubs’ at the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University – creating a regional power-house for collaboration with industry partners. The hubs house expertise and facilities to help 10 industrial sectors become more innovative through data.
The DDI Team
Jarmo Eskelinen
Executive Director
Jarmo joined the DDI programme from Future Cities Catapult in London. As Chief Innovation and Technology Officer, he led Catapult's research and innovation strategy and academic collaboration.
John Scott
Head of Delivery
John is responsible for co-ordinating the delivery of a range of DDI initiatives that enable all of our citizens to benefit from the data revolution. The role involves enacting diverse collaborations.
Dr Gemma Cassells
Head of Strategy (Interim)
Gemma oversees strategic and operational planning across the DDI Programme, working with internal and external partners to plan and deliver a wide range of initiatives across the City Region.
Alison Muckersie
Programme Lead, DDI Skills Gateway
Alison is responsible for the development and delivery of the DDI Skills Gateway Programme. This multi-partner initiative aims to develop a strategic approach to increasing the data skills of people.
Dr Mark Graham
Lead Economist
Mark is responsible for developing the economic and related impact analysis for all DDI business cases, related funding bids and development of monitoring and evaluation framework.
Helen Dundas
Sector Lead for Agritech
Helen works across the University of Edinburgh and engages with commercial and public sector parties, to support the development of digital skills training, adoption, research and enterprise in Agritech.
Esme Page
Office Administrator
Esme provides administrative, logistical and general support to the DDI programme office, including the development and maintenance of stakeholder engagement, communications and events.
Mark Baillie
Communications & PR Manager
Mark is responsible for planning and delivery of communications and engagement, working across a network that covers the DDI innovation hubs, the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University, and partners. Mark also helps co-ordinate wider communications for the City Region Deal.
David Jamieson
Programme Office Coordinator
David provides front-of-house, administrative and logistical support to the DDI Programme, including elements of stakeholder engagement, communications and events delivery.
Jo Newman
Executive Assistant
Jo is Executive Assistant to the Director, and is responsible for diary management, travel arrangements and general support. Jo has worked for the University of Edinburgh since May 2006.
Megan Forrest
Programme Office Coordinator
Megan provides front-of-house, administrative and logistical support to the DDI Programme, including elements of stakeholder engagement, communications and events delivery.
Maholi Díaz
Communications & Engagement Executive
Maholi supports the development and maintenance of the vital partner networks of the DDI Programme internally across the innovation hubs, the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, DDI Skills Gateway and externally through stakeholder engagement, communications and events.