Polly Purvis to step down as chief executive of ScotlandIS

Polly Purvis has announced she will step down as chief executive of digital technology industry body ScotlandIS later this year.

Purvis, ScotlandIS chief executive for the last six years, said she wanted to hand to someone who could “bring fresh passion to the organisation with the belief that technology can be a real force for good”.

Purvis received an OBE for services to the Scottish digital technologies industry in 2017, before then winning a lifetime achievement award at the 2018 Scottish Women in Technology Awards.

She was previously with the Scottish Software Federation from 1998.

Purvis said: "We have a fabulous membership full of interesting, innovative and growing technology businesses who build and deliver high quality goods and services.

"We also have a great team at ScotlandIS, dedicated and knowledgeable.

"So I think now is a great time to hand on to someone who can bring fresh passion to the organisation with the belief that technology can be a real force for good, who can help develop the potential of the digital technologies industry as a major force in the new economy and lead the team during the next phase of development.

"Collectively the board and the management team have real ambition to build ScotlandIS and I believe we’re very well placed for the new phase of growth.

"I will remain in post until a new CEO has been appointed to ensure a smooth and orderly transition.

"However, I’m planning by the autumn to ‘hang up my boots’ and take that long break I’ve been promising myself!”

ScotlandIS also announced that Karen Meechan would be promoted to the role of chief operating officer.