The finalists in the very first Herald Digital Transformation Awards in association with Digital World have just been announced and they make inspirational reading.

More than 120 entries were received and those that have made it onto the shortlist include examples of innovative use of technology across many diverse sectors, including education, property, industry and the charities sector.

Represented in each of the 10 categories, including Diversity, Community and Business Growth are outstanding companies and individuals who have recognised the potential for digital transformation, some of them responding quickly to the events of the last 18 months and using technology to deliver improved services or to reach new audiences at a time when speed and efficiency have been a priority.

In total there are 52 finalists on the shortlist, including, in the ‘Digitally Transformed Business’ category, Albion Rovers FC & Stenhousemuir FC for their work in modernising match coverage in the Scottish Professional Football League; The Scottish Centre for Personal Safety for their personal safety tutorial videos for sensory impaired people, which is shortlisted in the ‘Digital Diversity’ category, and in the ‘Digital Marketing Campaign’ category, James Donaldson & Sons for their TimberCut4U Website.

Other contenders include a new app for counting fish on fish farms, an online community for a local running group, an educational learning lab and a car valeting online booking hub.

The winners will be announced on Thursday, 4 November and it is not just the finalists, but the sponsors too who are waiting in anticipation to discover who will carry off these important accolades.

Title sponsor of the awards is Digital World, a campaign by Skills Development Scotland to promote digital skills and careers, and Rob Bruce of SDS said: “The response to the first Herald Digital Transformation Awards has been hugely encouraging and the calibre of finalists shows just how progressive many sections of our businesses and communities have been in embracing the opportunities that digital technology offers.”

Other sponsors include Capito, a leading IT services and solutions company, which is sponsoring the Best Use of Technology in Healthcare category, and Mark Gibson, Managing Director, said: “Amongst the finalists there are some outstanding examples of technology being used to transform the delivery of healthcare.

“During the pandemic the use of technology in this sector has been impressive and we are very much looking forward to discovering which of these finalists will be the eventual winner.

Tec-Source, a leading recruitment firm for technical, professional and skilled staff, is the sponsor of the Digital Professional of the Year Category and David Mains, Head of Technology recruitment, said: “The response by the business community to these awards is a measure of how important a digital focus has become to success in the business environment. There are some very strong contenders here for the award.”

Meanwhile the Business Growth Award will be sponsored by DigitalBoost, Scotland’s national digital skills training programme, which is part of Business Gateway and Hugh Lightbody, Chief Officer at the Business Gateway National Unit, said: “Innovative use of technology is transforming companies and those that have made the shortlist are amongst the leaders in this field, spotting the potential and making effective use of digital platforms to deliver better results.

“These companies deserve the recognition that winning this award will bring.”

The Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, 4 November and full details are available at https://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/digitransform21/