Digital commitment sees PwC Scotland create new director role

Douglas Shand has been appointed to the newly created role of director of technology and innovation for Scotland at PwC as the firm expands its digital offering.

PwC said the new role, which will be based in the firm’s Edinburgh office, reinforces its commitment to its Intelligent Digital strategy.

This aims to build partnerships with technology businesses that can both complement the firm’s propositions and deliver innovative solutions to existing and prospective clients.

Mr Shand will deliver a technology and investment strategy in Scotland, in addition to driving the six key themes of PwC’s Intelligent Digital strategy.

These are Data and Analytics; The Future of Work; Tech for Good; Cyber Security; Accelerate Digital and Technology Impact; and Disruptive Innovation and Emerging Technology.

The role is combined with a UK-wide Cyber Security Development Director position as the firm responds to the increasing requirement for technology-driven solutions to address the growing threat of cyber attacks. PwC’s 21st annual CEO survey, published earlier this year, revealed that fears over cyber attacks were amongst UK CEOs top concerns for 2018.

Mr Shand joined the firm in 2015 as head of innovation incentives for Scotland having worked in technology for more than 25 years, including as Director of Innovation at Oracle. In 2017, he spearheaded a strategic alliance and investment with technology incubator Codebase.

Mr Shand said: “I’m delighted to become the PwC’s first Director of Technology and Innovation, which reinforces our commitment to a rapidly changing digital environment for business.

“The fact the Scottish role is the first to have been created in the business also highlights how Scotland is at the forefront of our wider Intelligent Digital strategy.

“Offering value to our clients is crucial and this strategy allows us to bring knowledge, credibility and experience to the execution of the Intelligent Digital proposition.”

Lindsay Gardiner, senior partner and regional chairman for Scotland, added: “Professional services in Scotland continues to change rapidly and we want to be at the forefront of that change, which is why we are leading the way with a large cyber security and digital forensics team, and our ground-breaking alliance with Codebase.

“Since Douglas arrived here, he has been instrumental in driving the technology agenda in our tax business. In this new position he will take that development to the next level across all our lines of service.”