Lochhead convenes innovation roundtable session
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MORAY’s MSP Richard Lochhead convened a roundtable on innovation at Altyre Estate, near Forres, home of the Glasgow School of Art’s School of Innovation and Technology.
Mr Lochhead’s event, co-hosted by the Glasgow School of Art, brought together representatives from Moray’s business community and public sector for a discussion on how innovation and technology can be used to grow the local economy and to improve public services.
The SNP MSP hailed the event as a big success with positive contributions from attendees and a clear desire to work together to take advantage of emerging technologies to drive the economy and for the good of our communities.
Mr Lochhead said: “I was delighted to bring so together key representatives from Moray’s business community and public sector, with the support of Glasgow School of Art, for an exciting and upbeat discussion on how innovation can be embraced to boost the local economy.
“Moray has an impressive record when it comes to innovation and long standing businesses across various industries, including food and drink, manufacturing and engineering, having had to continue to innovated down the years as technology has evolved.
“We’re at a big crossroads now however – technology of the future is now here – and locally we’ve seen the emergence of the space industry, growing games companies, and of course investment by Boeing.
“Embracing innovation and new technology, including artificial intelligence, is key to driving Moray’s economy and it was exciting to hear how some businesses have already started their innovation journey.
“We had an incredibly stimulating discussion considering how organisations, businesses, and public agencies can work together, and what support the business community needs to give them the confidence to innovate.
“This is all about all businesses, large or small, staying ahead of the game, being competitive, productive and profitable with good well paid jobs in Moray being created.
“This meeting was very much the first step in advancing the innovation agenda here in Moray and I’m now considering some of the opportunities and challenges we discussed, and we can best take this forward.”
