Edinburgh, 12 March 2025 – On Wednesday, 12 March, over 200 key figures, from across industry, academia and Government, joined Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), in the Garden Lobby of Holyrood to celebrate Scotland’s Critical Technologies Supercluster.

The reception, sponsored by Kenneth Gibson, MSP, and delivered in partnership between Technology Scotland,  Photonics and Quantum Accelerator, UK Hub for Quantum Enabled Position, Navigation & Timing, Integrated Quantum Networks Hub, and QuantumARC, introduced the Supercluster, a dynamic network of overlapping and mutually supportive technology sub-sectors; photonics, quantum, semiconductors, and wireless and sensing technologies. The event highlighted the Supercluster’s ambitious goal of growing revenues beyond £10bn by 2035, while creating 6,600 new, high-value jobs.

These technologies play a crucial role in supporting critical supply chains across sectors like life sciences, space, future automotive, energy, communications, and defence and security. They are also pivotal in addressing the climate emergency and advancing Scotland’s collective net zero goals.

The evening provided a forum for industry leaders and policy makers to discuss the significance of these vital technologies with attendees given the opportunity to interact with eight live demonstrator stalls showcasing cutting edge innovations that form the backbone of the Supercluster. Alongside Kenneth Gibson, speakers included Alastair McInroy, CEO of Technology Scotland, Evelyn Toma from the University of Glasgow, and Scottish Government Minister for Business, Richard Lochhead, MSP.

Currently generating £4.2bn in revenues for Scotland, the Supercluster comprises over 150 companies that collectively support nearly 11,000 highly skilled jobs. This concentration of expertise, unmatched anywhere else in the UK, has been recognized by both the Scottish and UK Governments as one of Scotland’s Key Strategic Industry Clusters.

Ally McInroy, CEO, Technology Scotland said:

“This evening has been a fantastic illustration of the strength of Scotland’s Critical Technologies Supercluster. The huge turnout from our sectoral leaders, key external stakeholders and MSPs shows the momentum that has been built by the supercluster initiative over the last 12 months. The stars of the show though, were the technologies themselves, and it was exciting to be able to bring these technologies to life through a series of demonstrators showcasing cutting edge innovation in sectors as diverse as space and healthcare. Technology Scotland looks forward to building on this momentum to support the sector’s growth ambitions in the decade ahead.”

Business Minister Richard Lochhead said:
“Scotland’s four critical technologies are a major economic strength. They incorporate synergies of expertise, technical processes, and overlapping global markets and customers from electric vehicles to satellites.
 
“The supercluster’s rightly ambitious aim is to exploit these existing strengths in Scotland to generate £10 billion in revenue and support up to 17,500 jobs by 2035. Technology Scotland is playing a pivotal role in helping realise this ambition, and I was delighted to confirm at the Holyrood Reception a 50% increase in their  funding, helping them to continue to drive growth of the cluster and growth across Scotland’s economy.”
 

Find out more about Scotland’s Critical Technologies Supercluster.

Loading the next set of gallery items...
Load More