The techUK President’s Award is our opportunity to shine a spotlight on the amazing talent we have in the UK tech industry. We were bowled over by the quality of nominations received this year, and we want to thank every techUK member who put forward a colleague. Through each of the four awards: People, Society, Economy, and Planet, we recognise the positive difference individuals from techUK member companies are making through their work with technology. With over 1000 members, techUK now represents over 1 million tech workers in the UK so our award winners truly are one in a million.
People Award Winner
This award recognises someone who, through technology, has made a positive impact on well-being, health, skills, safety, or diversity and inclusion.
Chris Whitehouse, Customer Experience Director, Collaboraite
Chris Whitehouse, formerly with Counter Terrorism Policing, joined Collaboraite and spearheaded the development of Welfare Assist, a tool to protect the welfare of online investigators exposed to graphic content. This tool, now deployed across UK Law Enforcement, shields users from harmful material while preserving necessary data for investigations. It also provides leaders with insights into their team's exposure and distress levels, enabling proactive support. Chris engaged extensively with stakeholders and practitioners to refine the tool, ensuring it meets the practical needs of investigators. Feedback has been very positive, highlighting its tangible benefits for investigator welfare. The impact Chris is having is significant and he is making a real difference to the welfare of our officers. Click here to watch the moment Chris won his award at the techUK Annual Dinner.
Society Award Winner
This award recognises someone who is helping society to live better, work better, or interact better.
Jennifer Neff, Managing Director, Access Elemental
Jennifer Neff, co-founded Elemental (now Access Elemental), with a dedication to making sure social prescribing is available to everyone who needs it, not only addressing the social determinants of our community’s health such as debt, housing and loneliness, but also to reduce demand on health and social care services as a result. Over ten years, she has built a tech for good company supporting over 20 million people across the UK, Ireland, and Australia. Her platform has reduced primary care demand by 65% and created jobs in disadvantaged areas, revolutionising social prescribing and tackling health inequalities. Jennifer has had a pioneering role in transforming community wellbeing. Click here to watch the moment Jennifer won her award at the techUK Annual Dinner.
Economy Award Winner
This award recognises someone who, through technology, has strengthened the UK economy. This could be through supporting the growth of UK SMEs, leading the innovation of UK tech, or accelerating financial planning or risk mitigation.
Toby Jones, CEO, TJC
Toby Jones, founder and CEO of TJC, is dedicated to leveraging technology for public good. He created the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE) for the UK Home Office, enabling SMEs to collaborate on government projects. Since its 2017 launch, ACE has handled over 500 innovation commissions worth £200 million, engaging 380+ suppliers, 80% of which are SMEs. ACE's impact includes AI and data science applications addressing high-level government challenges. Recognised by the OECD and cited as a model for replication, ACE has significantly boosted SME growth and UK technological leadership. Click here to watch the moment Toby won his award at the techUK annual dinner.
Planet Award Winner
This award recognises someone who, through technology, is supporting our planet. This could include initiatives to support the climate agenda, decarbonisation, projects that support reuse and recycling, or advancements in clean energy.
Eric Zie, CEO and Founder, GoCodeGreen
Eric Zie is CEO and Founder of GoCodeGreen, a UK SME focused on measuring and identifying actions to reduce the carbon and environmental impact of digital products and services. Eric’s ambition is to decarbonise software and the technology value chain. GoCodeGreen’s work across the private and UK public sectors has identified opportunities to reduce carbon emissions, energy usage, and costs by between 27 and 43 percent. Eric is working with the ITU to engage less developed nations on their digital transformation pathways; with CodeClan and CodeBase to offer free training to 50 next-gen coders in the UK; and with the Retail Trust to demonstrate how green coding can benefit the UK retail sector. Eric has an outstanding passion for promoting sustainability in the digital sector. Click here to watch the moment Eric won his award at the techUK annual dinner.
Shining a light on extraordinary tech talent.
The President’s Award was launched in 2023 to recognise the significant contribution and positive difference techUK members are making through their work with technology. Every day, individuals in our tech community are effecting real change, whether that is helping small, distinct communities, or enabling large-scale interventions across countries and the planet.
The techUK President’s Award is our opportunity to shine a light on colleagues in the industry who are one in a million. We're looking to recognise trailblazers, innovators, and problem solvers who are an inspiration to others. There are four awards: People, Society, Economy, and Planet.
Nominations closed in early May and we were bowled over by the quality of nominations we received. There was a great calibre of entries, and we want to thank every techUK member who put forward a colleague.
We had a truly hard time shortlisting just three people in each category, but here's the shorlist:
🤝 People Award shortlist 🤝
Someone who, through technology, has made a demonstrable impact on well-being, upskilling and/or diversity and inclusion – this can be from a small distinct group to a national or international intervention.
Katherine Ellis
Katherine Ellis
Katherine has spent most of her career working in the not-for-profit sector delivering, and now leading, evidence-based programmes that result in better employability opportunities for young people. Women remain vastly under-represented in technology and computing careers, but this begins in education. In her current role as Gender Inclusion Lead at STEM Learning, she helped design and now manages the delivery of the I Belong: encouraging girls into computer science programme, part of the Department for Education-funded National Centre for Computing Education.
Chris Whitehouse
Chris Whitehouse
Chris is a data analysis SME, with 15 years' operational experience in Secure Law Enforcement data analysis specialising in online Investigation within UK CTP. Chris leads the Customer Experience capability at Collaboraite, providing secure data related solutions to solve operational challenges.
Dimple Khagram
Dimple Khagram
Dimple Khagram stands at the forefront of vocational education and digital transformation, with a distinguished career spanning over 15 years in the education sector. As the founder of Purple Beard Ltd, she has demonstrated unparalleled leadership in developing training solutions that cater to the evolving needs of the digital industry. Her entrepreneurial journey is underscored by her success in establishing two training companies in the UK, where her strategic vision for curriculum design and quality assurance has led to significant advancements in technology education.
A recognized authority on AI, digital technology, and curriculum innovation, Dimple's work is driven by a passion for empowering underrepresented groups in the tech space. Her initiatives at Purple Beard Ltd are a testament to her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), offering targeted programs to support women, ethnic minorities, young individuals under 35, and seniors over 60 in their tech careers.
Dimple's international experience, particularly in Kenya and the Great Lakes region, has enriched her perspective on global education challenges and opportunities. Her efforts in setting up impactful projects in FMCG and education have contributed to sustainable development in these regions.
Her professional accolades include being a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management and a member of the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). Dimple also lends her expertise as an independent End-Point Assessor for City & Guilds Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management, further solidifying her role as a mentor and leader in the field.
An advocate for lifelong learning, Dimple's self-taught expertise in AI, neuroscience, and data analytics reflects her curiosity and dedication to staying at the cutting edge of technology. Her fluency in Kiswahili and four other languages enhances her ability to connect with diverse audiences, making her a valuable contributor to international discussions on tech education and workforce development.
Dimple Khagram's engaging presence and insightful commentary have made her a sought-after speaker and thought leader in the tech community. Her contributions to blogs and podcasts for the startup community are widely recognized, offering fresh perspectives on the intersection of technology, education, and diversity.
As we look to the future of technology and education, Dimple Khagram's visionary leadership and advocacy for inclusive growth position her as an exemplary figure in shaping the next generation of tech talent.
🌏 Society Award shortlist 🌏
Someone who, through technology, has enabled society, from micro to macro, to work better, live better, interact better, enable growth and deliver value.
Louise Wall
Louise Wall
With over 20 years of experience in the tech and healthcare sectors, Louise has been at the forefront of driving transformative change, leveraging technology to improve operational efficiencies and patient outcomes.
Under Louise's leadership, e18 Innovation has grown exponentially, establishing itself as a trusted partner for NHS organisations and other healthcare providers. Her strategic vision and commitment to innovation have been instrumental in developing cutting-edge solutions that streamline processes, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery.
Louise's career is marked by a series of notable achievements. She began her journey in healthcare IT, quickly rising through the ranks due to her exceptional leadership skills and deep understanding of the industry's challenges and opportunities. Her ability to foresee trends and adapt to the rapidly changing landscape has been a cornerstone of her success.
At e18 Innovation, Louise has cultivated a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. She is passionate about fostering a collaborative environment where ideas can flourish, and employees are empowered to reach their full potential. Her inclusive leadership style and dedication to professional development have not only driven the company's growth but also earned her a reputation as a mentor and role model within the industry.
Louise is a strong advocate for the adoption of advanced technologies in healthcare, believing that innovation is key to overcoming the sector's most pressing challenges. Her work has not only transformed organisations but also inspired a new generation of healthcare leaders to embrace digital transformation.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Louise is committed to giving back to the community. She is actively involved in several initiatives aimed at supporting women's leadership in tech and promoting STEM education among young people.
Jennifer Neff
Jennifer Neff
Jennifer Neff was born and grew up in Derry, graduated with a BA Honours in Applied Consumer Studies from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, and spent the early part of her career in social and economic regeneration. Jennifer is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of Access Elemental, the UK and Ireland’s leading social prescribing technology provider and one of the country’s most successful female led technology companies, connecting over 20 million people into debt advice, walking clubs, befriending and mental health programmes in their local community via Social Prescribing Link Workers to tackle the social issues people face and the core determinants of health.
Jennifer and Leeann Monk launched Elemental at NHS Expo in 2016 with the key motivation to halt avoidable health inequalities. Their cloud based integrated platform is used by millions of people including patients, 3rd sector teams, NHS health and social care teams across Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England, and more recently Australia, as a prevention solution to reduce pressure on public sector services, enhance workforce productivity and improve citizen’s quality of life.
Elemental became Access Elemental when the UK’s largest UK based tech company, The Access Group, acquired Jennifer and Leeann's company. Jennifer now works directly with Integrated Care Boards across the UK and Ireland designing, implementing and demonstrating the value of integrated care innovation and mental health transformation across systems. Access Elemental recently launched in Australia.
Overall winner of Digital Leaders 100, Tech Nation Rising Stars 3.0 winners and Entrepreneur of the Year Women in Tech Excellence are some of Jennifer’s many accolades. Jennifer also founded the Young Innovator programme in Dubai which she led for 4 years. She mentors and has supported over 500 young people, multiple start up and scale up organisations to design and develop solution ideas around social innovation. See Jennifer's Tedtalk 'Social Prescribing & The Power of Change' from Stormont in 2018.
Richard Baylor
Richard Baylor
Although still possessing his thick American accent, Richard has spent most of his working life based here in the UK.
Moving over in the early 1980s for a French girl and a love of the UK’s alternative music scene, his early career was spent as a flight simulation engineer supporting several jet fighter planes. He quickly applied his skills to the healthcare sector and subsequently held senior positions with a number of EPR suppliers.
Key Experience:
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Leads our EPR services, executed across a number of NHS Trusts using both Oracle Health and Nervecentre solutions. He also managed Pulse at its outset, helping it evolve into a successful hub that offers value to the NHS and collaborative opportunities for suppliers.
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Previously delivered executive oversight and account management for Oracle’s UK and Ireland clients. Responsible for Cerner’s alignment to a number of strategic NHS initiatives, such as the Global Digital Exemplar programme and the transition of NHS Trusts from the National Programme for IT into direct supplier relationships.
When not making a terrible racket with his guitar, he is focused on both our internal business processes and our ability to deliver EPR services and digital solutions.
🎯 Economy Award shortlist 🎯
Someone who, through technology, has enabled improvements, mitigated risk, protected funds, facilitated advancements in financial planning and supported the growth of the economy.
Andrew Beverley
Andrew Beverley
Andy Beverley is the Chief Executive Officer of Ctrl O, a tech company he launched in 2014.
Before this, he graduated with a degree in computer systems and went on to serve for a decade in the Royal Navy as a naval engineer. His knowledge of tech and flair for problem-solving became well-known, and was regularly called upon by colleagues. For three years, he was at sea in the UK’s flagship aircraft career, HMS Illustrious, running the ship’s IT and communications systems.
After leaving the Navy, Andy set up Ctrl O, and created the groundbreaking software LinkSpace, an innovative tool for groups of employees to work with data safely and securely together. It has been adopted by the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Justice and the Foreign Office. The MOD use it to keep track of thousands of their training activities all around the world.
Andy is passionate about ethical practices in the software he provides, and in his business too, where it’s important for him to have a happy and thriving team.
Ben Johnson
Ben Johnson
Ben Johnson, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Uptitude, has a strong academic background in science and a passion for increasing efficiencies and bringing effective technology to as many people as possible. He began his career as a data analyst for a missile defence company, later transitioning to roles in the Pharmaceuticals and Consumer Healthcare sectors in multi-national corporations.
Ben has contributed significantly to data across various departments including Global Supply Chain, Strategic PMOs, Research and Development, Information Security, Marketing, Legal, Audit & Compliance. He believes that technology should not be the blocker to rapid evolution in companies and those who are able to harness it will win in global markets - driving up the economy.
At Uptitude, Ben has focused on enhancing collaboration and efficiency by connecting individuals and streamlining processes. He works closely with data teams, advocating for low-code solutions which allow companies to move much faster than before. Ben's technical expertise spans a range of tools and technologies - but will converge toward AI in the near future.
Ben's journey from Quantum Physics to technology leadership at Uptitude showcases his dedication to innovation, problem-solving, and collaboration. His vision for efficient, fast & user-centric tech continues to drive Uptitude's success in evolving the landscape of modern business.
Toby Jones
Toby Jones
Toby is a public servant, innovation practitioner, strategist and entrepreneur. He is a deep technologist, obsessed by what science & technology could in the future achieve for public good.
Toby, a former UK senior civil servant turned SME pioneer, founded and leads ACE, the UK’s Accelerated Capability Environment, a Home Office-sponsored partnership between industry, academia, the third sector and government. ACE applies advances in science, digital technology and data to solve pressing mission challenges facing government and the wider public sector.
Toby has 25 years of industry and public sector experience in the national security and resilience sector, combined with public policy development including legislation for investigatory powers and telecommunications regulation and compliance.
🌱 Planet Award shortlist 🌱
Someone who, through technology, is protecting the ground we walk on, the seas we swim in and the biodiversity around us. From small interventions to large-scale innovations, helping us to protect and nurture the planet we live on.
Eric Zie
Eric Zie
Eric is CEO and Founder of GoCodeGreen, he is a Google Brain award-winning technologist who decided to focus the experiences gained during his 25-year career in software design, architecture, development and operation on a new purpose and mission: to help decarbonise the digital world in which we all now live.
Eric loves technology and is super passionate about how technology can play a major part in decarbonisation. He is dedicated to understanding and decarbonising the Information and Communication Technology sector and is now a recognised thought leader and pioneer in the field. He is author of the leading guide to digital sustainability, ‘Decarbonise Digital: Facts, Methods, Action’ and works closely with academia and research to drive impact and work with the next generation of computer scientists.
James Hall
James Hall
As Head of GreenOps at Greenpixie, James is working at the forefront of sustainability in cloud computing. He uses his skills and experience across science, IT and sustainability to oversee all aspects of Greenpixie's service, including the continuous improvement of its cloud emissions measurement methodology; large scale data processing; and ensuring customer success through practical GreenOps. James’ passion for IT sustainability blends his love of technical innovation with a strong desire to preserve the natural world.
Harriet Pugh
Harriet Pugh
Harriet Pugh is a Design Lead at TPXimpact, working with government, councils and charities to design solutions that meet the needs of people, places and the planet. Her focus is on developing work around tackling climate change and designing the policy, products and services we need to get to net zero.
She is passionate about working with communities to solve complex social problems, and making design and change a more inclusive and collective mission. She also co-chairs TPXimpact’s Planet Employee Resource Group, which provides a space for those concerned about the climate and ecological emergency to discuss, debate and support each other.
How we'll reward the winners
- Winners were announced on stage at the techUK Annual Dinner in front of 650+ leading tech companies and government stakeholders.
- Winners will receive a physical ‘trophy’, and a digital ‘badge’ that they can add to their email signatures and social accounts.
- Winners will be profiled and celebrated on the techUK website.
- We will post a blog about each individual winner, project and company they work for on our website and on our social media accounts (80k followers) in the weeks following the Award.
- We will create a video about each winner, project and company they work for and post on our website and on our social media accounts (80k followers) in the weeks following the Award.
- We will profile the winners in the first techUK newsletter post the Award ceremony.
- We will profile the winners in relevant techUK Programme newsletters post the Award ceremony (e.g. our climate newsletter, policy newsletter, SME newsletter, skills newsletter etc.)
Plus:
- Event speaking opportunities: Winners will be invited to speak at a relevant techUK event.
- LinkedIn Newsletter: Winners will be profiled in the techUK LinkedIn Newsletter post the Award.
- Tech for Good: Winners will be interviewed for the techUK ‘Tech for Good’ series
- Webinar and blog: Winning companies will be invited to host a webinar and write a blog on a topic related to the project or work they were nominated for.
The four awards
1. People Award
Someone who, through technology, has made a demonstrable impact on health, well-being, skills, safety, or diversity and inclusion – this can be for a small distinct group or a national or international intervention.
2. Society Award
Someone who, through technology, has helped society, from micro to macro, to live better, work better, or interact better. This would include initiatives around community cohesion, lifelong learning, travel, infrastructure, or helping vulnerable groups.
3. Economy Award
Someone who, through technology, has made real inroads into economic development. This could be through supporting the growth of UK SMEs, leading the innovation of UK tech, or accelerating financial planning or risk mitigation.
4. Planet Award
Someone who, through technology, has nurtured or protected biodiversity and the planet. This could include initiatives to support the climate agenda, projects that support reuse and recycling, or advancements in energy production.
Learn more about the President's Award from Sheila Flavell CBE
Quotes from our 2023 Award winners
“I was nominated for the Society Award because of the software tools that Forensic Analytics provides to law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Done right, technology can absolutely have a fantastically beneficial effect for society. Being recognised by the tech industry for our work feels a little bit surreal!”
“I feel humble and proud because I feel techUK has recognised all the work that we have been doing with Climate Essentials in the past three years, and I feel super happy. Winning is amazing for me.”
“I’m most delighted on behalf of my company, Plexal, because we’re on a real journey and real mission, and to be at the head of that charge is so exciting for me. A moment like this is recognition that we’re heading in the right direction.”
"To be recognised as a company really making a difference in tech is wonderful. It’s incredible to have this room of experts at the cutting edge, really thinking about all of the implications of how tech can dramatically improve society.”
The techUK President’s Award is our opportunity to shine a spotlight on the amazing talent we have in the UK tech industry. We were bowled over by the quality of nominations received this year, and we want to thank every techUK member who put forward a colleague. Through each of the four awards: People, Society, Economy, and Planet, we recognise the positive difference individuals from techUK member companies are making through their work with technology. With over 1000 members, techUK now represents over 1 million tech workers in the UK so our award winners truly are one in a million.
Media partner
For more information about techUK President's Award, please contact:
Alex Smith
Alex joined techUK in September 2021 as our Head of Brand and Campaigns.