The University of Strathclyde has appointed Gillian Docherty OBE as its new Chief Commercial Officer.

Currently Chief Executive of The Data Lab, Gillian will join the University in February. As a member of the Executive Team, she will work across the institution to drive forward the University’s sector-leading activities with industry and support Scotland and the UK’s economic recovery from the global pandemic.

Gillian has been Chief Executive of The Data Lab for the past six years, an Innovation Centre with a mission to help Scotland maximise value from data and AI through collaboration, building skills and growing talent, and strengthening the thriving data science community.

University of Strathclyde Principal, Professor Sir Jim McDonald, said: “I am delighted to announce Gillian’s appointment and she brings with her a significant track-record of success, leadership and impact. She will be a strong addition to the University’s management team.”

“As a leading international technological University, we are extremely proud of our network of partners across business and industry in the UK and globally. Our approach to collaboration is accelerating the development of new technologies, helping companies compete internationally, informing public policy and supporting the economy.”

“Gillian will play an important role in the next chapter of this work.”

Gillian said:

“I am very much looking forward to joining The University of Strathclyde as Chief Commercial Officer. The opportunity to join an extremely talented team and to contribute to the impact the University has on our economy and society and on tackling some of the most important challenges our world is facing is very exciting.” 

Prior to heading up The Data Lab, Gillian held a variety of senior positions with IBM. She was appointed an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2019 for Services to Information Technology and Business. Earlier this year, Gillian was appointed the inaugural Chair of the Scottish AI Alliance.

She is a TED speaker and was named Digital Leader 2018 for the UK. She was named CEO of the year at the Digital Technology Awards 2017.

Gillian is Deputy President of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, a trustee of BeYonder Involve charity and an industry advisor to several startups. She has a degree in Computing Science from the University of Glasgow, and an Honorary Doctorate from Robert Gordon University.