Former Volvo and Dyson boss to chair Scottish tech accelerator as it launches £15 million fund

Jim Rowan, the Glasgow-born former chief executive of Volvo Cars and Dyson, brings three decades of global technology leadership to help drive the accelerator’s ambition to scale technology companies capable of competing on the world stage.

As chair, Rowan will lead Stac’s strategic direction and leverage his global networks to open international markets for portfolio companies. His appointment comes as Glasgow-based Stac launches its first fund, focusing on Scottish start-ups and companies ready to scale across robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, photonics and advanced manufacturing.

Founded in 2021, the organisation has already supported 120 start-ups, facilitated some £50m in investment, created 400 jobs, and maintains the highest density of women entrepreneurs among UK deep tech accelerators. In September 2024, the organisation opened “thebeyond”, a 22,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility at Skypark in the heart of Glasgow.

Rowan most recently served as chief executive and president of Volvo Cars, during which time the company achieved record profits in 2023 and 2024. He was recognised as CEO of the Year by Newsweek and Autonews and named in Time magazine’s global 100 climate leaders list. Prior to Volvo, he served as chief operating officer then chief executive of Dyson and has founded two successful start-ups.

He said: “My generation grew up with James Watt, Alexander Graham Bell, and Adam Smith as markers of Scottish achievement. And while every Scot is proud of this history, it's time for new, modern names in Scotland’s story that are reference points for excellence in innovation and advancement of technology.

“We’re an industrious nation with enormous intellectual horsepower and Stac is building the system to turn that potential into globally competitive companies, creating a new legacy for future generations.

“After spending more than a decade living and working in Asia, I’ve seen how the right system design transforms capability into competitiveness,” he added. “Scotland has world-class universities with genuine strength in the enabling technologies that will define the next decade - 6G connectivity, med and biotech, quantum computing, small modular reactors, AI-enabling infrastructure.

“The pieces exist. But we need to strengthen the connection between them. Stac bridges academia, industry, government, and finance.”

Stac operates Scotland’s unique industry-funded accelerator model, connecting high-potential start-ups with major corporate partners including RBS, Plexus, Eurofins, Pelion and global technology manufacturers. The model has been designed to be replicable and to scale as the company grows.

Paul Wilson, chief executive and co-founder of Stac, said: “For too long, Scottish deep tech companies have hit a ceiling. They build world-class technology here, but when it comes to scaling, they’ve been told they need to move to London, Silicon Valley, or elsewhere to access capital and markets. Jim’s appointment, alongside our £15m fund launch, challenges that narrative directly.

“His global network, combined with Stac’s model of connecting companies with corporate partners, means our companies can access international markets and investment while keeping their headquarters and innovation here in Scotland. Through our partners, we provide intensive problem-solving sessions, co-development opportunities, and direct routes to global markets.”

He added: “World-class industry leaders like Jim backing Scottish talent and ambition, coupled to a new operating system designed to improve execution and reduce friction - this combination will help deliver real results, repeatedly.”

Outgoing chairman Richard Lewis will continue to support the accelerator as a board member and advisor, bringing his extensive experience chairing and advising leading tech start-ups across Scotland.

“I am delighted to welcome Jim as Stac chairman, an appointment that reflects the ambition, reach and global scale that we have delivered in a short period of time,” added Lewis. “I look forward to working with him and the team to continue to deliver high quality support to Scotland’s most ambitious young companies.”

Stac provides an 18-month programme combining mentorship, investment readiness, and access to world-class facilities to help founders launch, build and scale globally competitive businesses. A key focus is on transformative technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics and AI.

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Last month, Johnston Carmichael, the accountancy and business services heavyweight, unveiled a strategic partnership with Stac to “empower” Scotland’s tech entrepreneurs.

The firm said its tie-up with the accelerator underlined its “commitment to Scotland’s innovation economy” and would support the next generation of technology pioneers.

As part of the new collaboration, Johnston Carmichael will provide “extensive support” to the 35 businesses enrolled in Stac’s current programme. This will include finance, tax and fundraising expertise.

There will also be one-to-one mentoring, enabling Stac’s founders to address strategic and operational challenges, and specialist workshops, covering “critical topics” for high-growth businesses, such as investor tax reliefs and enterprise management incentives.

Stac will also get access to the firm’s technology specialists, including partner Neil Wilson, who is seen as an expert in working with high-growth businesses, and Stephen Oates, partner and head of entrepreneurial taxes.

Calum Purdie, head of technology and life sciences at Johnston Carmichael, said: “Partnering with Stac allows us to build on our growing role in Scotland’s tech ecosystem. By sharing our expertise in finance, tax, and growth strategies, we aim to empower these businesses to scale successfully and contribute to Scotland’s reputation as a hub for technology and innovation.”

Of the 35 businesses taking part in the current programme at the Smart Things Accelerator Centre, 15 are spin-out ventures from Glasgow University’s “Infinity G” initiative, several are spin-outs from Strathclyde University, while the remainder were founded independently.