Returning for a second year, the Technology Scotland Awards will take place as part of the Annual Dinner on Thursday 12 November at the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow. The awards recognise outstanding achievements across Scotland’s critical and enabling technologies sector, celebrating the individuals and organisations driving innovation, global impact and collaboration.

This year’s entries have been assessed by a panel of experts drawn from across industry, academia and the wider innovation ecosystem. Together, they bring a breadth of experience and insight that reflects the diversity and strength of Scotland’s enabling technology community.

Our judges

Stephen Breslin

Stephen is currently Chief Executive Officer of Glasgow Science Centre and is committed to building confidence and raising aspiration in young people and helping them to discover the pleasure and relevance of science, engineering and technology. Stephen trained and worked as a software engineer and has held two previous roles as Chief Executive Officer with Futurelab Education and The Kelvin Institute Ltd.

Stephen Emerson

Stephen Emerson is Scotland Editor at Insider Media, leading Scotsman Insider, a B2B business intelligence platform spanning journalism, data, rankings and events.

Abi Hird 

Abi is the founder and Director of Defankle, an innovation consultancy that helps ambitious engineering and technology businesses design and deliver smarter innovation strategies with real-world impact.

Claire Ordoyno

Claire Ordoyno is the Executive Director of SPEERI, the Scottish Partnership in Energy and Engineering Research & Innovation – a pan-Scotland Partnership of 14 universities working collaboratively with industry, public sector and government to maximise impact in energy and engineering research and innovation.

Mat Wasley 

Mat is Head of Emerging and Enabling Technologies at Innovate UK Business Connect. The team drives innovation and connections across technologies including photonics, semiconductors, bacteriophage, neuromorphic computing, neurotechnology, quantum, sensors, and more.

Our judging panel have reviewed nominations across five categories:

  • Technology Scotland Excellence in Innovation Award
  • Technology Scotland Collaboration Award
  • Technology Scotland Rising Star Award
  • Technology Scotland Talent Development Award – New for 2026
  • Technology Scotland Outstanding Leadership in Technology Award – New for 2026

culminating in the announcement of winners at the Technology Scotland Annual Dinner on Thursday 12 November at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow, with a shortlist to be announced soon!

About the Technology Scotland Annual Dinner 2026

As the largest event in our calendar, the Technology Scotland Annual Dinner welcomes around 250 attendees from across Scotland’s critical and enabling technologies sector, including all three of our networks, for an evening of networking and celebrations, creating new connections and helping to solidify those already established.

Our annual dinner provides a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues old and new from across the sector, enjoy an evening of celebrations with your team, and recognise the great work happening across the Technology Scotland community.