Impact of Digital Dairy Chain honoured with Knowledge Exchange Award
Image L to R: Jamie Flower Business Gateway, Pauline Murray University of Strathclyde, Viki Nocker and Stuart Martin SRUC. Credit: Martin Shields Photography.
Digital Dairy Chain was announced as the winner of the Place-based impact award at the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards, which took place at the Edinburgh Futures Institute on 19 March 2025. Interface, which organises the awards, is funded by the Scottish Funding Council and was celebrating the 10th anniversary of the awards.
The Digital Dairy Chain offers any business or individual involved in the dairy supply chain across Cumbria, South and West Scotland a range of services to support innovation and productivity through collaboration.
This is a five-year, UK Research & Innovation funded project, with a budget of £21 million to transform the dairy sector in the region and uplift the rural economy, via grant funding and sustainable solutions.
The project partners will focus on aligning industry needs which will include developing digital connectivity, stimulating research and new product development, supporting business growth and attracting talent and skills, across the region.
The UKRI Strength in Places funded programme, led by SRUC, had been shortlisted for the award, which celebrates collaborative initiatives that bring together partners from across Scotland to deliver targeted, positive outcomes for specific regions or local communities.
The awards ceremony brought together Scotland’s ecosystem of talent to celebrate transformational collaborations between businesses, communities, universities, colleges, and research institutes which are solving industry challenges, improving productivity, advancing research and supporting Scotland’s ambition to be one of the most innovative small nations in the world.
Stuart Martin, programme director of Digital Dairy Chain said, “Thank you to all our collaborating partners on the project whose hard work make it happen. We would also like to extend thanks UKRI for our funding and continued support. The calibre of projects which were shortlisted was nothing short of amazing and the evening really highlighted the groundbreaking work that innovative collaborations are carrying out in Scotland and beyond.”
Applications were invited from all Scottish universities, research institutes and colleges, as well as businesses and organisations, demonstrating research and development and innovation-led partnerships which have had a positive impact on the economy, society, and the environment.
Amelia Whitelaw, director of award organisers Interface, said: “The Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards celebrate successful partnerships where knowledge is shared to create new solutions. The nominees and winners we are celebrating exemplify how collaboration drives valuable advancements. These partnerships have led to the development of new technologies, products, and services that contribute to economic progress and societal benefit. Their innovations are not only transforming Scotland but also have the potential to make a global impact.”