Gillian Docherty, CEO of Data Lab, Scotland’s Innovation Centre for data and AI, scooped the Outstanding Achievement Award at this year’s Scotland Women in Technology (SWiT) awards show.

SWiT, a non-profit volunteer run organisation, hosted its third annual award ceremony at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow tonight (24th of October), celebrating some of the country’s most inspirational female technology leaders.

In an opening address, Jamie Hepburn, Scottish Government Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills, said such events were key to ensuring that the next generation of Scotland’s technologists had an equal supply of male and female role models.

By recognising and celebrating the success of those women and organisations that are leading the way in fostering and promoting gender diversity, SWiT hopes the awards will act as a catalyst to get more women to pursue a career in technology.

Speaking about this year’s winners, SWiT Awards judge Ray Bugg, founder of DIGIT, said: “The quality of this year’s finalists was outstanding, which made the judging process an arduous one. But the talent and efforts of the winners were exemplary, and I’m sure they will all go on to help inspire others.”

And the winners of the SWiT 2019 Awards are…

Outstanding Achievement Award – Gillian Docherty

Leader of the Year – Rebecca Moore

Inspirational Woman of the Year – Vicky Brock

Rising Star – Anna McMullen

Gender Diversity Champion – Toni Scullion

Secondary Teacher – Toni Scullion

Primary Teacher – Frances Quinn

Technology Champion in Education – Kate Farrell

Gender Aware Recruiter of the Year – McGregor Boyall

Employer of the Year – Sky

Diversity Initiative – Women in Technology at Morgan Stanley

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Speaking to DIGIT, Docherty said: “It’s been great to be here with The Data Lab team and to see so many people around the room we’ve worked with over the last few years. They are the people who make it happen. It’s been a special night and I’m over the moon to have won.

“Events like the SWiT Awards are important because they recognise contributions from all walks of life, from teachers to senior leaders and organisations. The awards recognise all of their investment in improving diversity.

“But the key thing for me that is important about tonight is that our younger generation can see it. If you can’t see it you can’t be it, but tonight they are seeing it in spades. Every single nominee and winner is a role model and they provide an example to those coming behind us to aspire to.”

Scullion said of her win: “I’m blown away at being selected for these awards and I feel very honoured. From primary level to big industry it is amazing to see people from all levels in Scotland being recognised tonight at the SWiT Awards. It is important to champion everyone who is making a difference and it is great to see Scotland leading the way in this.”

There was also a special tribute to finalist Anne Porter in the Technology Champion in Education category. Porter who had been a champion of technology and engineering for over 30 years sadly passed away whilst on a field trip in June 2019. She was a senior figure at Glasgow Kelvin College and was the faculty head for engineering, construction and science.