The DataKirk has announced the finalists for the Scottish Ethnic Minority Talent Festival & Awards (SEMTSF Awards 2025), a landmark celebration honouring organisations and teams driving progress in diversity, digital skills, innovation, and sustainability across Scotland.
Following an overwhelming number of direct and indirect nominations, DataKirk’s judging panel has shortlisted four outstanding finalists in each of the ten award categories. These organisations reflect the best of Scotland’s commitment to building an inclusive, forward-looking, and resilient workforce.
ScotlandIS is delighted to have been shortlisted in the Best Promoter of Digital Skills category, for our e-Placement Scotland and Digital Critical Friends programmes.
The event will also welcome Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Business for Scotland, as keynote speaker for this historic occasion.
The Awards are part of the wider Scottish Ethnic Minority Talent Summit & Festival (SEMTSF 2025), taking place on 9 October 2025 at Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh.
The 2025 Finalists are:
Talent Intelligence Award
- Heart of Midlothian FC
- Lloyds Banking Group
- Gigged AI
- Improvement Service
Team Excellence Award
- University of Strathclyde
- TRC Media
- University of Edinburgh
- Skyscanner
Best Candidate Experience Award
- Police Scotland
- University of Strathclyde
- Public Health Scotland
- AtkinsRéalis
Best Promoter of Digital Skills
- ScotlandIS
- Code Your Future
- The Data Lab
- Tay Cities Digital Project (DigiTay)
Net Zero & Sustainability Initiative of the Year
- The Social National Investment Bank
- Robertson
- Innovatium
- CEMVO Scotland
Best Use of Technology & Innovation Award
- Harvey Nash
- Level E Research Limited
- Firefish Software
- Chemify
Best DEI Initiative Award
- Skyscanner
- Morgan Hunt
- Intercultural Youth Scotland
- Association for Black & Ethnic Minority Engineers
Best Employer Brand Award
- University of Strathclyde
- Shepherd & Wedderburn
- University of Edinburgh
- MadeBrave
Public Sector Team of the Year
- Dundee & Angus College
- NHS Lothian
- Social Security Scotland
- Improvement Service
Third Sector Team of the Year
- CEMVO Scotland
- Amina – The Muslim Women’s Resource Centre
- CSREC
- Intercultural Youth Scotland