Menu Close

Case Study

How Optimat Built a Thriving Geospatial Community

The Location Data Scotland cluster building programme has developed a strong community of organisations working with location data across Scotland. It has raised the profile of geospatial technologies as an enabler of innovation, successfully launched the Geospatial Skills Foundation Programme, marking a significant milestone in
geospatial education and laying the foundation for future skills development initiatives and influenced policy around geospatial strategies at Scottish Government and contributed to National Government thinking.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Geospatial is a growing application within the emerging technologies landscape. It plays a vital role in our daily activities and is embedded in most of the systems and applications we use today. At a UK level, the geospatial sector is among the UK’s fastest-growing industries, with an anticipated annual growth rate of 10.5%, aiming to
reach £9 billion by 2027.

Over the last 5 years Optimat has been commissioned, initially by Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Government and the Geospatial Commission, and more recently by the Scottish Government, to develop a healthy, and growing, geospatial community comprising more than 120 organisations spanning industry, public, third and academia across 34 regions and 23 industries. Working together with the community, Government, academia and industry, Optimat are helping organisations address some of the biggest challenges facing the sector including: access to high-quality and relevant geospatial data; building connections and collaboration; developing skills and talent; unlocking funding and investment; and raising sector visibility and influence.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

Position Location Data Scotland as the go-to-initiative for any organisation working with geospatial technologies in Scotland
Work with the Scottish Geospatial community, in partnership with the Scottish Government, to identify the skills gaps across Scotland and develop the Geospatial Skills Roadmap for Scotland
Raise the profile of Scotland’s capabilities in geospatial on an international platform
Work with the Scottish Geospatial community, in partnership with the Scottish Government, to identify the skills gaps across Scotland and develop the Geospatial Skills Roadmap for Scotland
Identify the challenges facing the sector around data standardisation and data access

Position Location Data Scotland as the go-to-initiative for any organisation working with geospatial technologies in Scotland
Work with the Scottish Geospatial community, in partnership with the Scottish Government, to identify the skills gaps across Scotland and develop the Geospatial Skills Roadmap for Scotland
Raise the profile of Scotland’s capabilities in geospatial on an international platform

Work with the Scottish Geospatial community, in partnership with the Scottish Government, to identify the skills gaps across Scotland and develop the Geospatial Skills Roadmap for Scotland
Identify the challenges facing the sector around data standardisation and data access

OUR APPROACH

To establish a clear identity and shared purpose for Location Data Scotland (LDS), we worked with stakeholders from across government, enterprise, and the geospatial sector to define its values, mission, and key messages. Partnering with a communications expert, Taylor Communications, we translated this into a distinctive brand, developed supporting collateral and an engaging website. We also developed an online Directory to enable organisations to join the community, share their expertise, and connect with others, creating a visible and accessible network that underpins LDS’s collaborative approach. We foster collaboration within the community through a programme of LDS-branded and partner events, webinars, and targeted initiatives. These have stimulated market opportunities in sectors such as agriculture/land, financial services/fintech, space, travel & tourism, construction (PropTech), and energy, while enabling new cross-sector partnerships and innovation projects.

DELIVERY TEAM

Ashley Stewart
Director & Senior Consultant
About>
Iain Weir
Senior Consultant
About>

External: Anna-Marie Taylor – Taylor Communications

OUTPUTS AND IMPACTS

In partnership with AGI Scotland, the University of Edinburgh, and Scottish Government, we initiated a programme bringing together industry leaders to identify Scotland’s geospatial skills gaps and create a unified skills roadmap. This led to a strategic partnership with Fife College and the securing of UK Space Agency funding to develop and launch Scotland’s first Geospatial Skills Foundation Programme. Designed in direct consultation with industry, the programme represents a significant milestone in geospatial education and lays the foundation for future skills initiatives. We have also facilitated investment opportunities for LDS members. For example, Eolas Insight secured seed investment to expand its team and scale its AI-based environmental mapping solutions. In 2023, we showcased Scottish innovation to UK and global audiences by bringing seven organisations to London as part of the Scottish Innovation Village at Geo Business.

Additional outputs and impacts:

  1. Raised the profile of geospatial technologies as a driver of innovation, building a strong brand and influencing policy at both Scottish and UK Government levels
  2. Developed Scotland’s first Geospatial Skills Foundation Programme in partnership with Fife College and the UK Space Agency, addressing the national skills gap
  3. Built a thriving community of 120+ organisations and nearly 1,000 online followers, fostering collaboration across industry, academia, public sector and charities
  4. Created opportunities for innovation and growth, from sector-specific collaborations (agriculture, fintech, energy, tourism, space) to investment support for emerging companies
  5. Showcased Scotland’s geospatial capabilities nationally and internationally through events, webinars, and initiatives such as the Scottish Innovation Village at Geo Business 2023
  6. Developed a strong network of key industry partners
  7. Created a series of case studies demonstrating the impact of Location Data Scotland on some of the organisations across Scotland including Eolas  Insight, Space Aye, Topolytics and Vahanomy

“Location Data Scotland has been and will continue to be instrumental to the development of the geospatial ecosystem across Scotland. As the lead delivery partner, Optimat has been pivotal in terms of creating the programme’s grass roots, developing the community, building the partner network and raising Scotland’s profile in this highly important sector. Their knowledge of the sector, contacts and expertise in cluster development have been invaluable in ensuring Location Data Scotland has been and will continue to be a success in the delivery of Geospatial Services in Scotland.”

Alan Corbett
Head of Geospatial at Scottish Government

Dr Ashley Stewart

Director & Senior Consultant

I’m Ashley, a Director and Senior Consultant at Optimat. I specialise in digital and data technologies, from AI and Automation to Space, Immersive and Geospatial, helping to advance Scotland’s wider enabling technologies.  I support the growth of high-innovation sectors where Scotland has the potential to lead globally.

For over 15 years at Optimat, I’ve helped industries, organisations and governments use digital and emerging technologies to unlock growth and sharpen their competitiveness. Recent work has focused on AI, building a clearer picture of Scotland’s capabilities and adoption opportunities, and on Space, where I’ve delivered insights that shape strategies for industry growth, Net Zero pathways and new infrastructure, such as spaceports. Across the full breadth of digital and emerging technologies, my role is about turning evidence into action and ensuring Scotland stays globally competitive as technologies and industries evolve.

Another core area of expertise is cluster development and strategy. I established, and now lead, Location Data Scotland, building it from the ground up into a vibrant geospatial community. Beyond geospatial, I’ve developed roadmaps and action plans across digital technologies, advanced manufacturing and materials, and aerospace. This combines market and technology analysis with stakeholder engagement to map assets, identify opportunities and design interventions that support innovation and competitiveness.

Before joining Optimat, I worked as a Research Technologist in academia, gaining insight into how technologies move from research to real-world application. That experience, combined with two decades in consultancy, enables me to bridge research, policy and industry to help clients make smarter, evidence-based decisions. I hold a BA in Marketing, an MSc in IT & Web Development, and a PhD in Technology Enhanced Learning & Communities of Practice.

Iain Weir

Senior Consultant

I’m Iain Weir, formerly Managing Director of Optimat.  I joined Optimat in 1990 and now have over 35 years’ experience of strategy, innovation and economic development consultancy. I am now working part-time as a senior consultant as a stepping stone to retirement in the future.

During my time at Optimat, I’ve worked to support company growth, innovation and economic development across a range of sectors, and I enjoy working with clients to turn data and insight into meaningful action.  I’m proud to have had an integral role over that time in developing Optimat into an internationally recognised strategy consultancy.

One of my key areas of expertise is the development of the low carbon economy, a topic of increasing importance for today’s industries.  I think this is a challenging area for industry and the public sector to address as there can be several solutions offered to reduce carbon impacts, often without a strong evidence base to support their use. I enjoy pursuing an evidence-based analyses of these options to provide valuable insights to stakeholders.

Before joining Optimat, I worked in research and development in the electro-optic materials sector, developing and marketing innovative high-tech materials for a range of applications.  This industrial experience has strongly influenced my approach to assisting companies with their innovation activities.

I hold a BSc (1st class Hons) in Chemistry, a PhD in Chemistry, and an MBA.  I think this strong scientific background has enabled me to pursue an evidence-based and analytical approach to consultancy.