Gillian Docherty ─ Leading the way for Scotland to maximize the value of data...
June 9, 2021 • 3 Minute Read
Updated October 2022
Gillian Docherty
Chief Commercial Officer
University of Strathclyde
(Previously — Chief Executive Officer
The Data Lab)
Are you looking for a leader with a mission to maximise the value of data for Scotland and lead the world to a data powered future? We know the person—Gillian Docherty.
Gillian Docherty is the CEO of The Data Lab, Scotland’s innovation centre for Data Science and AI with a mission to maximise the value of data for Scotland and lead the world to a data powered future. Gillian is a passionate leader for the use of data to drive economic, societal and environmental benefits. She was appointed the first Chair of Scotland's AI Alliance in 2021, created to implement the activities of Scotland's AI Strategy. Gillian is also passionate about understanding how digital technologies are changing innovation across industry sectors.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™, Gillian Docherty.
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
I won a writing award and have a poem published in a book called ‘Na Big Man’ written for the W.H. Smith Young Writers of the Year competition (Age 12).
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
Average around 12000 miles per annum (1 long haul and 6 short haul).
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
Piranha, at 18 I went on an expedition to Guyana in South America and travelled for 12 weeks through the Amazon and we enhanced our rations with Piranha among other things.
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
Hard to pick two, but my experience working for so many amazing leaders at IBM really shaped me and I learned a huge amount over my 22 years there. More recently taking on the role of CEO at The Data Lab has really shaped my journey, I have learned so much building and supporting the amazing team we have.
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
Yes I have had and will continue to have mentors, I think it’s a critical component of learning and stretching yourself. The biggest lesson is to believe in yourself and I probably need to keep learning that one over and over again.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Take risks, say yes to opportunities even if you think you can’t do it and then learn how to do it later.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
Many things from going back to talk to our school children about my journey, trying to say yes to lots of speaking opportunities and mentoring those just starting out. Hopefully inspiring them to be better than me.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
So many data science and AI projects, I love the Fit Home project we worked on which provides smart housing to enable independent living. The Fit Homes have lots of sensors gathering data and we have funded work to build algorithms to identify patterns in behaviour that for example would lead to an increased risk of falling.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
I am always trying to learn and currently part of Vistage CEO Leadership group which helps me to continue to develop. I am also a huge fan of Brene Brown’s podcast – Dare to Lead.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
There is so much opportunity to drive vale from Data for Scotland the biggest challenge is to identify what we don’t do versus all the amazing things we could do.
