Strategy lead steps in at Data-Driven Innovation programme

The Data-Driven Innovation (DDI) programme has made a key appointment to its senior leadership team.

Ritchie Somerville has been named as DDI’s Head of Strategy and will focus on developing and delivering a wide range of initiatives that meet the programme’s outcomes. Ritchie will also look after the programme’s wider alignment within the ever-evolving innovation landscape, enabling diverse collaborations that deliver valuable engagements for partners and stakeholders.

Commenting on his new role, Richie said: “I am extremely honoured to be joining the programme team on a permanent basis, and the wonderful opportunity this affords to collaborate with and support the work of the world-leading experts of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt Universities. I look forward to further developing a strong, sustainable strategic direction for the Programme, emphasising the diverse activity that both Universities – and their wide range of partners – already do in the field of data-driven innovation, as well as developing new opportunities across the region, Scotland and globally.”

Ritchie brings to his new role 25-years’ experience across a wide range of government policy, project and programme management in planning, economic development and business development, company start-up and programme development and delivery.

His most recent role was as Innovation and Futures Manager at the City of Edinburgh Council. A co-founder of the Edinburgh Living Lab, Ritchie is a former Board Member of Digital Leaders Scotland, and the Cities Standards Institute. He is a BSI Standards Committee Member on Smart and Sustainable Cities, a Member of the Scottish Government Digital Planning Taskforce and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA).

See the full who’s who in the DDI team.