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An advisory group has been set up to provide leadership and expertise on the expansion of 5G in Scotland.

The group has been created by the Scotland 5G Centre, a Scottish Government-funded national centre set up to promote the rollout and adoption of 5G.

Chaired by Claire Gillespie, digital technologies sector skills manager at Skills Development Scotland, the group will advise the centre as it supports the Scottish Government on developing its 5G policy and programmes, as well as engaging with business on the adoption of the technology.

Gillespie said: “To enable faster and wider 5G adoption across Scotland, one of the group’s first priorities will be to engage with SMEs to understand their current challenges [and] raise awareness of how 5G can play a role in helping them grow their businesses. We also aim to bridge the technology and digital skills gap in business, supporting the transition to data-driven solutions and outcomes, and working with businesses and people to develop their skills to in this exciting sector.”

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She added: “Crucially, each member of the advisory group brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to support the centre’s governing board. We will draw upon our collective experiences to enhance sustainable growth and put Scotland firmly on the global 5G map.”

The other members of the group have been drawn from across different parts of the digital sector and academia.

They are Stephen Ingledew, executive chair of FinTech Scotland; Simon Haston, CTIO regions and devolved nations for BT; Dr Mike Short, chief scientific adviser to the Department of International Trade; Professor Rahim Tafazolli, head of the Institute for Communication Systems at the University of Surrey; and Martyn Wallace, chief digital officer at the Scottish Local Government Digital Office.

Julie Snell, chair of the Scotland 5G Centre, said: “The formation of the strategic advisory group is another key step in our commitment to creating a world-leading hub for knowledge, expertise and innovations regarding 5G. Under Claire’s leadership, the group will bring dynamic perspective, innovative advice and external input on market needs. It will help shape our agenda and, through their extensive knowledge and networks, provide unbiased insight.”