Shortlist 2026

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Start-Up Founder Award

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<b>Benazir Kamali<br/>Nova Books Ltd</b><br/><br/>She has been a primary school teacher for 14 years and have always been passionate about helping children develop a love of reading. As an English Coordinator, she worked closely with her school's English team to improve literacy and reading outcomes, leading initiatives that encouraged reading across the whole school. Through her classroom experience, she realised there was a gap between teaching children how to read and helping them want to read.

Benazir Kamali
Nova Books Ltd

She has been a primary school teacher for 14 years and have always been passionate about helping children develop a love of reading. As an English Coordinator, she worked closely with her school's English team to improve literacy and reading outcomes, leading initiatives that encouraged reading across the whole school. Through her classroom experience, she realised there was a gap between teaching children how to read and helping them want to read.

<b>Francesca Roberts<br/>WayPaths and The Coders Guild</b><br/><br/>Francesca Roberts is a founder and commercial leader working at the intersection of education, technology and social equity. She is the co-founder of WayPaths, a platform designed to improve outcomes for young people in alternative provision by helping schools, local authorities and providers make better, faster placement decisions. Alongside building WayPaths, Francesca leads commercial partnerships at The Coders Guild, where she works with employers to expand access to digital and AI apprenticeships.

Francesca Roberts
WayPaths and The Coders Guild

Francesca Roberts is a founder and commercial leader working at the intersection of education, technology and social equity. She is the co-founder of WayPaths, a platform designed to improve outcomes for young people in alternative provision by helping schools, local authorities and providers make better, faster placement decisions. Alongside building WayPaths, Francesca leads commercial partnerships at The Coders Guild, where she works with employers to expand access to digital and AI apprenticeships.

<b>Hanna Latif-Walmsley<br/>Laika Family</b><br/><br/>Hanna Latif‑Walmsley is the founder and CEO of Laika Family, a pioneering pet tech venture where she has led all aspects since May 2025. As a mixed race woman, she has a rich history of experience in being the underdog, the up and comer in a business world not built for her and a beacon of inspiration showcasing what the power of passion and determination can do.

Hanna Latif-Walmsley
Laika Family

Hanna Latif‑Walmsley is the founder and CEO of Laika Family, a pioneering pet tech venture where she has led all aspects since May 2025. As a mixed race woman, she has a rich history of experience in being the underdog, the up and comer in a business world not built for her and a beacon of inspiration showcasing what the power of passion and determination can do.

<b>Heera Rehman<br/>WorldTone AI</b><br/><br/>Heera Rehman is the Founder and CEO of WorldTone AI, an AI-powered internal communications platform designed to help organisations communicate more inclusively across cultures, religions and backgrounds. Drawing on more than a decade in global internal communications, she built the platform from first-hand experience of workplace exclusion and communication blind spots. WorldTone AI has been bootstrapped, tested through formal feedback cohorts and is progressing toward paid pilots and wider commercial launch.

Heera Rehman
WorldTone AI

Heera Rehman is the Founder and CEO of WorldTone AI, an AI-powered internal communications platform designed to help organisations communicate more inclusively across cultures, religions and backgrounds. Drawing on more than a decade in global internal communications, she built the platform from first-hand experience of workplace exclusion and communication blind spots. WorldTone AI has been bootstrapped, tested through formal feedback cohorts and is progressing toward paid pilots and wider commercial launch.

<b>Jenny Winspear<br/>Bridgit Pay</b><br/><br/>Jenny Winspear is a registered Occupational Psychologist (HCPC) and CIPD-qualified HR professional, and Founder & CEO of Bridgit Pay. In this role, she leads all functions: product strategy, technical team management, commercial development, client success, and stakeholder engagement. Jenny’s entrepreneurial journey began 5 years ago with MyAnova, an award-winning employee wellbeing technology platform. Despite having no technical background, she taught myself product leadership and team management, translating psychology expertise into measurement frameworks that enterprise organisations adopted at scale.

Jenny Winspear
Bridgit Pay

Jenny Winspear is a registered Occupational Psychologist (HCPC) and CIPD-qualified HR professional, and Founder & CEO of Bridgit Pay. In this role, she leads all functions: product strategy, technical team management, commercial development, client success, and stakeholder engagement. Jenny’s entrepreneurial journey began 5 years ago with MyAnova, an award-winning employee wellbeing technology platform. Despite having no technical background, she taught myself product leadership and team management, translating psychology expertise into measurement frameworks that enterprise organisations adopted at scale.

<b>Jessica Shuker<br/>The Retrofit Exchange</b><br/><br/>Jessica’s career has spanned marketing, education and innovation. She began her career at The Very Group working in marketing before moving into primary education as a teacher. She later joined South & City College Birmingham as an Innovation Practitioner, where she worked with businesses across the construction and housing sectors to support innovation, collaboration and skills development linked to retrofit and net zero delivery. The Retrofit Exchange (REX) was created to solve this coordination challenge.

Jessica Shuker
The Retrofit Exchange

Jessica’s career has spanned marketing, education and innovation. She began her career at The Very Group working in marketing before moving into primary education as a teacher. She later joined South & City College Birmingham as an Innovation Practitioner, where she worked with businesses across the construction and housing sectors to support innovation, collaboration and skills development linked to retrofit and net zero delivery. The Retrofit Exchange (REX) was created to solve this coordination challenge.

Katy Murray
Rewired

Katy Murray is Co-founder and Head of Brand and Growth at Rewired®, an AI-powered talent identification platform helping employers find the right people through real evidence of ability and fit to the role. Her talent-tech experience began where she helped shape and grow a candidate support platform that reached 80,000users. Working closely with jobseekers gave Katy first-hand insight into why capable people go on unrecognised in job search and how this also impacts results for hiring employers. At Rewired, Katy connects candidate and employer insight with product development, positioning and growth. She also leads its Every Candidate Seen initiative: ensuring every applicant is considered, informed and given the opportunity to demonstrate what they can do.

<b>Michelle Coombs<br/>Oprising Ltd</b><br/><br/>Michelle Coombs is the Founder/Director of Oprising Ltd and The Tech Leader Network Ltd, with 25+ years’ experience in the MSP and IT Service Management space. She is known for practical, outcomes-focused service improvement work - helping Service Desks build the operational cadence, accountability and leadership behaviours needed to scale without chaos. Michelle founded The Tech Leader Network in 2017 and launched Oprising in 2024 to productise proven consultancy methods into a scalable SaaS platform.

Michelle Coombs
Oprising Ltd

Michelle Coombs is the Founder/Director of Oprising Ltd and The Tech Leader Network Ltd, with 25+ years’ experience in the MSP and IT Service Management space. She is known for practical, outcomes-focused service improvement work - helping Service Desks build the operational cadence, accountability and leadership behaviours needed to scale without chaos. Michelle founded The Tech Leader Network in 2017 and launched Oprising in 2024 to productise proven consultancy methods into a scalable SaaS platform.

<b>Mitali Deypurkaystha<br/>AISensa</b><br/><br/>Mitali Deypurkaystha is co-founder and CMO of AISensa, the governed AI platform helping regulated firms make AI governance real, evidenceable, and human-first. She is also co-founder of the Human-First Responsible AI Pledge, the UK's first pledge urging businesses to put human wellbeing at the centre of AI adoption, chair of the board at the Organisation for Responsible Businesses, and a NAPA-accredited AI & Tech journalist. A former ghostwriter, she went on to own a publishing house, helping more than sixty purpose-driven founders translate their ideas into books that gave them authority and reach. She also brings a psychology background from five years in NHS psychiatric services. Her founding thesis, that AI adoption fails on human and cultural grounds, not technical ones, is why AISensa treats governance as something that should feel like support, not surveillance.

Mitali Deypurkaystha
AISensa

Mitali Deypurkaystha is co-founder and CMO of AISensa, the governed AI platform helping regulated firms make AI governance real, evidenceable, and human-first. She is also co-founder of the Human-First Responsible AI Pledge, the UK's first pledge urging businesses to put human wellbeing at the centre of AI adoption, chair of the board at the Organisation for Responsible Businesses, and a NAPA-accredited AI & Tech journalist. A former ghostwriter, she went on to own a publishing house, helping more than sixty purpose-driven founders translate their ideas into books that gave them authority and reach. She also brings a psychology background from five years in NHS psychiatric services. Her founding thesis, that AI adoption fails on human and cultural grounds, not technical ones, is why AISensa treats governance as something that should feel like support, not surveillance.

<b>Natasha Allden<br/>Multiply Technology Ltd</b><br/><br/>Natasha Allden is Founder and CEO of Multiply Technology, a specialist technology transfer business developing the Multiply Platform to help advanced engineering organisations identify and prioritise new markets for existing intellectual property. An experienced entrepreneur, she founded an online recruitment business at 21 and later developed thought leadership around network-based business models. Through Multiply, Natasha combines commercial experience, technology and innovation strategy to help organisations unlock new value from existing engineering capability and accelerate market opportunities.

Natasha Allden
Multiply Technology Ltd

Natasha Allden is Founder and CEO of Multiply Technology, a specialist technology transfer business developing the Multiply Platform to help advanced engineering organisations identify and prioritise new markets for existing intellectual property. An experienced entrepreneur, she founded an online recruitment business at 21 and later developed thought leadership around network-based business models. Through Multiply, Natasha combines commercial experience, technology and innovation strategy to help organisations unlock new value from existing engineering capability and accelerate market opportunities.

<b>Sana Fatima Sayyed<br/>Techare Ltd</b><br/><br/>Sana Fatima Sayyed is a climate-tech founder, UX Designer, and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) researcher with over six years of experience designing technology that creates positive impact for people and the planet. She is the Founder of Techare Ltd, an AI-enabled repair intelligence startup transforming how people maintain and repair smart-home devices through human-centred design and behavioural science. Techare was developed through rigorous human-centred research involving more than 100 UK participants.

Sana Fatima Sayyed
Techare Ltd

Sana Fatima Sayyed is a climate-tech founder, UX Designer, and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) researcher with over six years of experience designing technology that creates positive impact for people and the planet. She is the Founder of Techare Ltd, an AI-enabled repair intelligence startup transforming how people maintain and repair smart-home devices through human-centred design and behavioural science. Techare was developed through rigorous human-centred research involving more than 100 UK participants.

<b>Torty Sivill<br/>Decima2</b><br/><br/>Dr Torty Sivill is Co-founder of Decima2, the AI-native marketing agency she launched with Alexis Monks - friends since their Computer Science degree over a decade ago. Torty holds an MEng in Computer Science and a PhD in Explainable AI from the Alan Turing Institute and the University of Bristol. As Co-founder, Torty leads the technical and product vision at Decima2, translating her PhD research into a proprietary causal machine learning model that gives SMEs enterprise-grade, explainable marketing attribution.

Torty Sivill
Decima2

Dr Torty Sivill is Co-founder of Decima2, the AI-native marketing agency she launched with Alexis Monks - friends since their Computer Science degree over a decade ago. Torty holds an MEng in Computer Science and a PhD in Explainable AI from the Alan Turing Institute and the University of Bristol. As Co-founder, Torty leads the technical and product vision at Decima2, translating her PhD research into a proprietary causal machine learning model that gives SMEs enterprise-grade, explainable marketing attribution.

Apprentice Award

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<b>Anushka Dare<br/>JP Morgan</b><br/><br/>Anushka is a young and aspiring software engineering apprentice at the Glasgow Tech hub, JP Morgan. Despite the lack of prior computing knowledge from highschool, Anushka applied for the JP Morgan graduate apprentice scheme at the age of 16. Her passion for maths, robotics and art allowed her to draw parallels between the processes for the subjects with software development. Her willingness to learn and unique perspectives on challenges make her an invaluable asset.

Anushka Dare
JP Morgan

Anushka is a young and aspiring software engineering apprentice at the Glasgow Tech hub, JP Morgan. Despite the lack of prior computing knowledge from highschool, Anushka applied for the JP Morgan graduate apprentice scheme at the age of 16. Her passion for maths, robotics and art allowed her to draw parallels between the processes for the subjects with software development. Her willingness to learn and unique perspectives on challenges make her an invaluable asset.

<b>Jessica Nicholls<br/>IBM</b><br/><br/>Jessica Nicholls joined IBM in September 2022 as a Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprentice and has since progressed from a Bachelor's Degree Apprenticeship onto a Master's Apprenticeship in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. Over the last four years, she has built expertise across IBM's Data and AI portfolio, combining customer-facing experience with growing technical knowledge in analytics, data science and artificial intelligence. This progression has strengthened her ability to combine technical knowledge with strategic thinking and customer engagement.

Jessica Nicholls
IBM

Jessica Nicholls joined IBM in September 2022 as a Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprentice and has since progressed from a Bachelor's Degree Apprenticeship onto a Master's Apprenticeship in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. Over the last four years, she has built expertise across IBM's Data and AI portfolio, combining customer-facing experience with growing technical knowledge in analytics, data science and artificial intelligence. This progression has strengthened her ability to combine technical knowledge with strategic thinking and customer engagement.

<b>Katie Albon<br/>MBDA Missile Systems UK</b><br/><br/>Katie joined MBDA UK in 2023 as a Digital Technology and Solutions degrees apprentice within the Cyber Security team as a SOC Analyst. She has developed into a cyber security analyst delivering small to medium sized projects as well as supporting placements as an incident responder. Katie has also successfully completed external placements around the IT department within Networks Operations and Service Delivery to broaden her IT skills and experience.

Katie Albon
MBDA Missile Systems UK

Katie joined MBDA UK in 2023 as a Digital Technology and Solutions degrees apprentice within the Cyber Security team as a SOC Analyst. She has developed into a cyber security analyst delivering small to medium sized projects as well as supporting placements as an incident responder. Katie has also successfully completed external placements around the IT department within Networks Operations and Service Delivery to broaden her IT skills and experience.

<b>Rachel Sadiq<br/>Google</b><br/><br/>Rachel Sadiq is a 19 year old Cloud Digital Business Apprentice at Google. She broke into the highest paying, most male dominated sector in the world through a completely non-traditional route, securing a role in Big Tech without traditional A levels or a university degree. In her current position within Google Cloud Retail Sales, Rachel connects complex AI and cloud infrastructure with executive business strategy, translating advanced technological research into actionable corporate value.

Rachel Sadiq
Google

Rachel Sadiq is a 19 year old Cloud Digital Business Apprentice at Google. She broke into the highest paying, most male dominated sector in the world through a completely non-traditional route, securing a role in Big Tech without traditional A levels or a university degree. In her current position within Google Cloud Retail Sales, Rachel connects complex AI and cloud infrastructure with executive business strategy, translating advanced technological research into actionable corporate value.

Rising Star Award

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<b>Alex Thompson<br/>Orbital IAM</b><br/><br/>Reflecting on her journey over the past six months, she barely recognize the person she was before. Just a year ago, she was contemplating a career change at 37, while managing multiple chronic illnesses and disabilities. She often felt useless, merely going through the motions of daily tasks, struggling with low self-esteem and confidence. Fast forward to today, and she is a different person. Alex Thompson is confident, chatty, and bubbly, especially when discussing her passions.

Alex Thompson
Orbital IAM

Reflecting on her journey over the past six months, she barely recognize the person she was before. Just a year ago, she was contemplating a career change at 37, while managing multiple chronic illnesses and disabilities. She often felt useless, merely going through the motions of daily tasks, struggling with low self-esteem and confidence. Fast forward to today, and she is a different person. Alex Thompson is confident, chatty, and bubbly, especially when discussing her passions.

<b>Asia Tillotson<br/>Moorhouse Consulting</b><br/><br/>Asia Tillotson is a Senior Consultant at Moorhouse, where she helps organisations solve complex business problems through data, analytics and digital solutions. Since joining the firm in 2022 as a Junior Consultant, she has progressed to Consultant and then Senior Consultant in consecutive annual promotion cycles, reflecting consistent performance and an increasing level of responsibility. Her route into technology has been unconventional. She now works closely with senior stakeholders to shape solutions, lead workstreams and support colleagues with technical challenges.

Asia Tillotson
Moorhouse Consulting

Asia Tillotson is a Senior Consultant at Moorhouse, where she helps organisations solve complex business problems through data, analytics and digital solutions. Since joining the firm in 2022 as a Junior Consultant, she has progressed to Consultant and then Senior Consultant in consecutive annual promotion cycles, reflecting consistent performance and an increasing level of responsibility. Her route into technology has been unconventional. She now works closely with senior stakeholders to shape solutions, lead workstreams and support colleagues with technical challenges.

<b>Chanisse Price<br/>ZAIZI</b><br/><br/>Chanisse Price is a results-driven Principal Cloud Engineer with over 14 years of technology experience, including 7 years specialising in cloud, DevOps, security, and Linux systems. Currently serving as Principal Cloud Engineer at Zaizi, she leads the design and execution of high-assurance Google Cloud Platform (GCP) strategies, multi-cloud platforms, and automated security baselines. Starting her career in deep Linux systems support, Chanisse consistently blends strategic technical leadership with hands-on expertise across complex public sector and enterprise environments.

Chanisse Price
ZAIZI

Chanisse Price is a results-driven Principal Cloud Engineer with over 14 years of technology experience, including 7 years specialising in cloud, DevOps, security, and Linux systems. Currently serving as Principal Cloud Engineer at Zaizi, she leads the design and execution of high-assurance Google Cloud Platform (GCP) strategies, multi-cloud platforms, and automated security baselines. Starting her career in deep Linux systems support, Chanisse consistently blends strategic technical leadership with hands-on expertise across complex public sector and enterprise environments.

<b>Clare Clegg<br/>SCC</b><br/><br/>Clare has worked at SCC for just over 25 years starting as a training manager and working her way up to Head of Technical Delivery. In her current role Clare is responsible for overseeing the training and development provision for over 500 employees working in SCCs Engineering and Supply chain function. In her current role Clare is responsible for overseeing the training and development provision for over 500 employees working in SCCs Engineering and Supply chain function.

Clare Clegg
SCC

Clare has worked at SCC for just over 25 years starting as a training manager and working her way up to Head of Technical Delivery. In her current role Clare is responsible for overseeing the training and development provision for over 500 employees working in SCCs Engineering and Supply chain function. In her current role Clare is responsible for overseeing the training and development provision for over 500 employees working in SCCs Engineering and Supply chain function.

<b>Darcey Brough-Mylod<br/>Aspect Capital Limited</b><br/><br/>Darcey began her career in marketing, working as a Marketing Account Manager while completing a part‑time MSc in Data Science. She joined Croud in 2019 as a Junior Data Scientist, whilst also earning a GCP Associate Cloud Engineer certification. She moved to Capgemini in 2020 as a Data Science Consultant, gaining early exposure to infrastructure and operational reliability challenges. From 2021 to 2024, Darcey worked at Quantexa, progressing from Data Engineer to Senior DevOps Engineer.

Darcey Brough-Mylod
Aspect Capital Limited

Darcey began her career in marketing, working as a Marketing Account Manager while completing a part‑time MSc in Data Science. She joined Croud in 2019 as a Junior Data Scientist, whilst also earning a GCP Associate Cloud Engineer certification. She moved to Capgemini in 2020 as a Data Science Consultant, gaining early exposure to infrastructure and operational reliability challenges. From 2021 to 2024, Darcey worked at Quantexa, progressing from Data Engineer to Senior DevOps Engineer.

<b>Jayanthi Selvaraj<br/>NTT DATA Inc UKI</b><br/><br/>Jayanthi Selvaraj, known as Jay, is a Senior Manager at NTT DATA with nine years in consulting and professional services, working across product leadership, agile coaching and the development of high-performing engineering teams. She currently serves as Product Owner supporting a major automotive client's new operating model. During a major organisational transformation, that client specifically requested her to lead product management across six delivery verticals, acting as the point of intersection for its new data products.

Jayanthi Selvaraj
NTT DATA Inc UKI

Jayanthi Selvaraj, known as Jay, is a Senior Manager at NTT DATA with nine years in consulting and professional services, working across product leadership, agile coaching and the development of high-performing engineering teams. She currently serves as Product Owner supporting a major automotive client's new operating model. During a major organisational transformation, that client specifically requested her to lead product management across six delivery verticals, acting as the point of intersection for its new data products.

<b>Kelsey McGrath<br/>Wise Ltd</b><br/><br/>Kelsey McGrath’s career in London’s technology sector shows high-impact leadership, progressing from business operations to technical programme management. From participating in GCHQ’s Cyber Accelerator in 2019 to managing end-to-end Capex investments exceeding €5.5 million, she has worked hard to ensure that start-ups and scale-ups are able to deliver on operational excellence. Currently, she works as Engineering Operations Manager at Wise, where she drives complex, high-impact programmes within Platform engineering, establishing best practices for the business unit.

Kelsey McGrath
Wise Ltd

Kelsey McGrath’s career in London’s technology sector shows high-impact leadership, progressing from business operations to technical programme management. From participating in GCHQ’s Cyber Accelerator in 2019 to managing end-to-end Capex investments exceeding €5.5 million, she has worked hard to ensure that start-ups and scale-ups are able to deliver on operational excellence. Currently, she works as Engineering Operations Manager at Wise, where she drives complex, high-impact programmes within Platform engineering, establishing best practices for the business unit.

<b>Maha Javed<br/>VISA Inc.</b><br/><br/>Maha Javed is a Senior Engineer at Visa Inc., working within Currencycloud to build secure, scalable technology for cross-border payments. She has designed backend services in a regulated financial environment and is currently leading the technical development of a new feature, coordinating its design, implementation, testing and delivery. Maha’s 8 years of technology journey spans aerospace, investment banking and global financial technology. She has also demonstrated commercial initiative by co-founding a digital agency that supported more than 35 startups.

Maha Javed
VISA Inc.

Maha Javed is a Senior Engineer at Visa Inc., working within Currencycloud to build secure, scalable technology for cross-border payments. She has designed backend services in a regulated financial environment and is currently leading the technical development of a new feature, coordinating its design, implementation, testing and delivery. Maha’s 8 years of technology journey spans aerospace, investment banking and global financial technology. She has also demonstrated commercial initiative by co-founding a digital agency that supported more than 35 startups.

<b>Meera Tamboli<br/>Meera Tamboli</b><br/><br/>Meera Tamboli is a cybersecurity professional, mentor and innovator with rapid early-career progression and measurable global impact. She moved to the UK in 2023 to pursue an MSc in Cyber Security Management at the University of Warwick on the WMG Academic Excellence Scholarship, graduating with Merit and receiving the Warwick Award for Holistic Development. She joined AVEVA, a global industrial software and cybersecurity leader, as a Graduate Security Analyst and was promoted within ten months to Senior Security Analyst.

Meera Tamboli
Meera Tamboli

Meera Tamboli is a cybersecurity professional, mentor and innovator with rapid early-career progression and measurable global impact. She moved to the UK in 2023 to pursue an MSc in Cyber Security Management at the University of Warwick on the WMG Academic Excellence Scholarship, graduating with Merit and receiving the Warwick Award for Holistic Development. She joined AVEVA, a global industrial software and cybersecurity leader, as a Graduate Security Analyst and was promoted within ten months to Senior Security Analyst.

<b>Reetika Bhattacharjee<br/>NTT Data Inc UK&I</b><br/><br/>Reetika Bhattacharjee is a Salesforce technical leader in NTT DATA's UK and Ireland Salesforce practice, working across enterprise transformation programmes. Over the past 12 months she has moved from Salesforce Technical Lead and Developer into a Technical Architect role, taking ownership of solution architecture on a large-scale transformation programme. She specialises in the integrations between Salesforce and SAP, which is where enterprise landscapes usually break, and works to make them scalable and resilient rather than merely working.

Reetika Bhattacharjee
NTT Data Inc UK&I

Reetika Bhattacharjee is a Salesforce technical leader in NTT DATA's UK and Ireland Salesforce practice, working across enterprise transformation programmes. Over the past 12 months she has moved from Salesforce Technical Lead and Developer into a Technical Architect role, taking ownership of solution architecture on a large-scale transformation programme. She specialises in the integrations between Salesforce and SAP, which is where enterprise landscapes usually break, and works to make them scalable and resilient rather than merely working.

<b>Shelby Taylor<br/>Liberty Blume a Liberty global company</b><br/><br/>Shelby Taylor has built a non-traditional career in technology, progressing from resource planning into team leadership and large-scale transformation. She helped move a contact centre of around 900 telephony agents onto a new cloud-based solution and new hardware while enabling the workforce to operate from home during the pandemic. Starting the project as a team of one, Shelby demonstrated adaptability, ownership and resilience, helping Vanquis Bank maintain customer service during a period of significant disruption.

Shelby Taylor
Liberty Blume a Liberty global company

Shelby Taylor has built a non-traditional career in technology, progressing from resource planning into team leadership and large-scale transformation. She helped move a contact centre of around 900 telephony agents onto a new cloud-based solution and new hardware while enabling the workforce to operate from home during the pandemic. Starting the project as a team of one, Shelby demonstrated adaptability, ownership and resilience, helping Vanquis Bank maintain customer service during a period of significant disruption.

<b>Sian Thomas<br/>Wolverine Worldwide</b><br/><br/>Sian Thomas is a Senior Product Manager with over 12 years of experience at the intersection of fashion, technology, and digital transformation. After a successful career in the fashion industry, she transitioned into tech in 2021 to focus on creating innovative, customer-centric digital products that combine creativity, commerce, and data-driven strategy. Since then, she has led cross-functional teams to deliver scalable solutions that improve customer experiences and drive measurable business outcomes.

Sian Thomas
Wolverine Worldwide

Sian Thomas is a Senior Product Manager with over 12 years of experience at the intersection of fashion, technology, and digital transformation. After a successful career in the fashion industry, she transitioned into tech in 2021 to focus on creating innovative, customer-centric digital products that combine creativity, commerce, and data-driven strategy. Since then, she has led cross-functional teams to deliver scalable solutions that improve customer experiences and drive measurable business outcomes.

Academic Award

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<b>Armin Mustafa<br/>CVSSP, University of Surrey; Department of Science, Innovation and Technology; and SAIReco Ltd</b><br/><br/>Prof. Armin Mustafa is an Associate Professor at CVSSP, University of Surrey, and a DSIT AI Fellow with over 15 years of experience in digital technologies. Since April 2024, she has served as the Audio-Visual AI Research Lead for the £6.3mn AI4ME partnership with the BBC and the Research Team Lead for the £51mn COSTAR National Lab. Her responsibilities include managing a team of 25 researchers, setting strategic objectives, and pioneering generative AI and machine perception tools.

Armin Mustafa
CVSSP, University of Surrey; Department of Science, Innovation and Technology; and SAIReco Ltd

Prof. Armin Mustafa is an Associate Professor at CVSSP, University of Surrey, and a DSIT AI Fellow with over 15 years of experience in digital technologies. Since April 2024, she has served as the Audio-Visual AI Research Lead for the £6.3mn AI4ME partnership with the BBC and the Research Team Lead for the £51mn COSTAR National Lab. Her responsibilities include managing a team of 25 researchers, setting strategic objectives, and pioneering generative AI and machine perception tools.

<b>Halima Bhayat<br/>Ursuline High School</b><br/><br/>Halima Bhayat has been teaching for 21 years and has worked in many roles, from Senior Leader of STEAM and International Schools to Head of Faculty, as well as supporting vocational courses and students with work experience. When she led a Senior Leader role in STEAM and International Schools, she was able to set up an academy to support girls in exploring careers in the STEAM field. This led to 80% of the girls choosing STEAM subjects at KS5.

Halima Bhayat
Ursuline High School

Halima Bhayat has been teaching for 21 years and has worked in many roles, from Senior Leader of STEAM and International Schools to Head of Faculty, as well as supporting vocational courses and students with work experience. When she led a Senior Leader role in STEAM and International Schools, she was able to set up an academy to support girls in exploring careers in the STEAM field. This led to 80% of the girls choosing STEAM subjects at KS5.

<b>Laura Hutchings<br/>University of Wales Trinity Saint David</b><br/><br/>Laura began her career at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David as a lecturer, with a strong interest in digital technologies and how they can improve teaching and learning. Over time, she became more involved in digital innovation across the university and was recognised with a Digital Learning Champion Award in 2024 for her work in this area. She is now a Digital Institute Lead, providing strategic digital leadership within the Faculty of Education, Communities and Culture.

Laura Hutchings
University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Laura began her career at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David as a lecturer, with a strong interest in digital technologies and how they can improve teaching and learning. Over time, she became more involved in digital innovation across the university and was recognised with a Digital Learning Champion Award in 2024 for her work in this area. She is now a Digital Institute Lead, providing strategic digital leadership within the Faculty of Education, Communities and Culture.

<b>Lulu Liu<br/>University of Birmingham</b><br/><br/>Lulu Liu is an Assistant Professor in Structural Engineering at the University of Birmingham, where she has worked since October 2024. She completed her PhD in Civil Engineering in 2021, including research at EPFL in Switzerland, and then remained at EPFL as a postdoctoral researcher from 2021 to 2024. Her research focuses on fibre-polymer composites, structural joints, fatigue, creep, durability and sustainable infrastructure, using experimental testing, numerical modelling, digital image correlation and data-driven methods.

Lulu Liu
University of Birmingham

Lulu Liu is an Assistant Professor in Structural Engineering at the University of Birmingham, where she has worked since October 2024. She completed her PhD in Civil Engineering in 2021, including research at EPFL in Switzerland, and then remained at EPFL as a postdoctoral researcher from 2021 to 2024. Her research focuses on fibre-polymer composites, structural joints, fatigue, creep, durability and sustainable infrastructure, using experimental testing, numerical modelling, digital image correlation and data-driven methods.

<b>Phillipa Peart<br/>CLARITYPENNY LTD</b><br/><br/>Phillipa Peart is a highly accomplished academic with extensive research skills in public health. As a Black Caribbean woman and Founder and CEO of her own technology company, CLARITYPENNY LTD, for the past two years, she defines the company’s vision and long-term direction. She also shapes the branding of CLARITYPENNY, deciding on the message of impact and trust and overall tone it communicates to the world. Additionally, she leads decisions on how the company expands into the sectors within the business environment.

Phillipa Peart
CLARITYPENNY LTD

Phillipa Peart is a highly accomplished academic with extensive research skills in public health. As a Black Caribbean woman and Founder and CEO of her own technology company, CLARITYPENNY LTD, for the past two years, she defines the company’s vision and long-term direction. She also shapes the branding of CLARITYPENNY, deciding on the message of impact and trust and overall tone it communicates to the world. Additionally, she leads decisions on how the company expands into the sectors within the business environment.

<b>Roushanak Rahmat<br/>HCLTech</b><br/><br/>Dr Roushanak Rahmat is an Enterprise AI Architect and Forward Deployed Engineer specialising in Generative AI, Agentic AI, and cloud transformation. She holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and has over 15 years of experience spanning academia, research, consulting, and enterprise technology. Currently at HCLTech, she helps organisations design and implement AI strategies, translating emerging technologies into scalable business solutions. She has supported professionals and students by providing guidance, encouragement, and opportunities to develop their technical skills.

Roushanak Rahmat
HCLTech

Dr Roushanak Rahmat is an Enterprise AI Architect and Forward Deployed Engineer specialising in Generative AI, Agentic AI, and cloud transformation. She holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and has over 15 years of experience spanning academia, research, consulting, and enterprise technology. Currently at HCLTech, she helps organisations design and implement AI strategies, translating emerging technologies into scalable business solutions. She has supported professionals and students by providing guidance, encouragement, and opportunities to develop their technical skills.

<b>Roya Rahimi<br/>University of Wolverhampton</b><br/><br/>Professor Roya Rahimi is Professor of Marketing and Leisure Management at the University of Wolverhampton and an internationally recognised researcher specialising in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, service innovation and entrepreneurship. Over the past two decades, she has built an international reputation for applying emerging technologies to solve real-world challenges across tourism, hospitality and SMEs. She leads multidisciplinary research programmes, secures competitive international funding and works closely with industry, policymakers and community organisations.

Roya Rahimi
University of Wolverhampton

Professor Roya Rahimi is Professor of Marketing and Leisure Management at the University of Wolverhampton and an internationally recognised researcher specialising in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, service innovation and entrepreneurship. Over the past two decades, she has built an international reputation for applying emerging technologies to solve real-world challenges across tourism, hospitality and SMEs. She leads multidisciplinary research programmes, secures competitive international funding and works closely with industry, policymakers and community organisations.

<b>Ziyun Ding<br/>University of Birmingham</b><br/><br/>Dr Ziyun Ding is an Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham, where she has worked since 2019. Before joining Birmingham, she was a Research Associate in Bioengineering at Imperial College London, following her PhD in Engineering from the University of Liverpool. She established and leads the Birmingham Biomechanics Laboratory and serves as Deputy Head of the Biomedical Engineering Research Group. Her support extends beyond formal supervision.

Ziyun Ding
University of Birmingham

Dr Ziyun Ding is an Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham, where she has worked since 2019. Before joining Birmingham, she was a Research Associate in Bioengineering at Imperial College London, following her PhD in Engineering from the University of Liverpool. She established and leads the Birmingham Biomechanics Laboratory and serves as Deputy Head of the Biomedical Engineering Research Group. Her support extends beyond formal supervision.

Tech for Good Award

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<b>Aleks House<br/>Leeds City College</b><br/><br/>Aleks House is Deputy Head for Digital and Innovation in the Adult, Community and ESOL department at Leeds City College. Her journey into education began as a learner herself, returning to study as an adult and experiencing first-hand how transformative education can be when someone believes in your potential. That experience continues to shape her work. Her focus is simple: technology should remove barriers, not create them. For staff, the impact has been a shift in practice.

Aleks House
Leeds City College

Aleks House is Deputy Head for Digital and Innovation in the Adult, Community and ESOL department at Leeds City College. Her journey into education began as a learner herself, returning to study as an adult and experiencing first-hand how transformative education can be when someone believes in your potential. That experience continues to shape her work. Her focus is simple: technology should remove barriers, not create them. For staff, the impact has been a shift in practice.

<b>Amy Church<br/>Cyber Dave Ltd</b><br/><br/>Amy is the Founder and CEO of Cyber Dave Ltd, a technology company on a mission to make the online world safer for children and less overwhelming for parents. Alongside a career leading cybersecurity, information security and governance programmes, Amy is also a mum who has experienced first-hand the challenges families face navigating an increasingly digital world. Rather than simply identifying the problem, she set out to build a solution.

Amy Church
Cyber Dave Ltd

Amy is the Founder and CEO of Cyber Dave Ltd, a technology company on a mission to make the online world safer for children and less overwhelming for parents. Alongside a career leading cybersecurity, information security and governance programmes, Amy is also a mum who has experienced first-hand the challenges families face navigating an increasingly digital world. Rather than simply identifying the problem, she set out to build a solution.

<b>Claire Downes<br/>Virtual Decisions</b><br/><br/>Claire Downes is the Founder and CEO of Virtual Decisions, leading a purpose-driven technology business focused on creating solutions that help people thrive. A Women in Tech Award winner in both 2024 and 2025, she champions diversity and inclusion while encouraging creativity across the organisation. Claire’s leadership centres on listening closely to customer needs and translating them into practical, people-focused technology, combining entrepreneurial vision with a commitment to positive social impact and inclusive innovation.

Claire Downes
Virtual Decisions

Claire Downes is the Founder and CEO of Virtual Decisions, leading a purpose-driven technology business focused on creating solutions that help people thrive. A Women in Tech Award winner in both 2024 and 2025, she champions diversity and inclusion while encouraging creativity across the organisation. Claire’s leadership centres on listening closely to customer needs and translating them into practical, people-focused technology, combining entrepreneurial vision with a commitment to positive social impact and inclusive innovation.

<b>Eleni Lialiamou<br/>Kimolian Academy Limited</b><br/><br/>Eleni Lialiamou is a social entrepreneur and AI product leader, and the founder of the Kimolian ecosystem. Greek-born and UK-based, she is a single mother who built the organisation she needed and could not find. She founded Kimolian Academy Limited in September 2021 to attack a structural problem in the technology economy: women from underrepresented backgrounds cannot get a tech job without experience, and cannot get experience without a job.

Eleni Lialiamou
Kimolian Academy Limited

Eleni Lialiamou is a social entrepreneur and AI product leader, and the founder of the Kimolian ecosystem. Greek-born and UK-based, she is a single mother who built the organisation she needed and could not find. She founded Kimolian Academy Limited in September 2021 to attack a structural problem in the technology economy: women from underrepresented backgrounds cannot get a tech job without experience, and cannot get experience without a job.

"Katy Murray
Rewired

Katy Murray is Co-founder and Head of Brand and Growth at Rewired®, an AI-powered talent identification platform helping employers find the right people through real evidence of ability and fit to the role. Her talent-tech experience began where she helped shape and grow a candidate support platform that reached 80,000users. Working closely with jobseekers gave Katy first-hand insight into why capable people go on unrecognised in job search and how this also impacts results for hiring employers. At Rewired, Katy connects candidate and employer insight with product development, positioning and growth. She also leads its Every Candidate Seen initiative: ensuring every applicant is considered, informed and given the opportunity to demonstrate what they can do."

<b>Kloe Avon<br/>Redihomes</b><br/><br/>Kloe Avon is an award-winning entrepreneur and founder of RediHomes, with a strong background in business, social impact, and technology-led solutions. After studying Business Management at Walsall College, she built a diverse career spanning multiple ventures, including KZ Organics, Tracey’s Juice Bar, and Community Red, all focused on community wellbeing and innovation. Her work has been shaped by lived experiences and a passion for solving real-world problems, particularly around accessibility and support systems.

Kloe Avon
Redihomes

Kloe Avon is an award-winning entrepreneur and founder of RediHomes, with a strong background in business, social impact, and technology-led solutions. After studying Business Management at Walsall College, she built a diverse career spanning multiple ventures, including KZ Organics, Tracey’s Juice Bar, and Community Red, all focused on community wellbeing and innovation. Her work has been shaped by lived experiences and a passion for solving real-world problems, particularly around accessibility and support systems.

<b>Krittika DSilva<br/>International Rescue Committee</b><br/><br/>Krittika D'Silva is a technology and AI leader working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, global development, and humanitarian response. She currently serves as Director of Strategic Initiatives at International Rescue Committee, where she leads enterprise-wide strategic and AI-enabled transformation initiatives across global operations and external relations functions. She also worked closely with the UN Secretary-General’s innovation ecosystem through the DISHA initiative, focused on scaling AI infrastructure and humanitarian decision-making capabilities across the social sector.

Krittika DSilva
International Rescue Committee

Krittika D'Silva is a technology and AI leader working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, global development, and humanitarian response. She currently serves as Director of Strategic Initiatives at International Rescue Committee, where she leads enterprise-wide strategic and AI-enabled transformation initiatives across global operations and external relations functions. She also worked closely with the UN Secretary-General’s innovation ecosystem through the DISHA initiative, focused on scaling AI infrastructure and humanitarian decision-making capabilities across the social sector.

<b>Omotoke Ajidagba<br/>10mg Health</b><br/><br/>Omotoke Ajidagba is the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of 10mg Health, a position she has held since the company was founded in 2023. She began her career in medical social work before moving into health and social care operations in the UK, where she gained experience supporting vulnerable people, coordinating services, and managing teams. She also holds an MBA in Human Resource Management. Her strength is combining empathy with disciplined execution.

Omotoke Ajidagba
10mg Health

Omotoke Ajidagba is the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of 10mg Health, a position she has held since the company was founded in 2023. She began her career in medical social work before moving into health and social care operations in the UK, where she gained experience supporting vulnerable people, coordinating services, and managing teams. She also holds an MBA in Human Resource Management. Her strength is combining empathy with disciplined execution.

<b>Ozohu Adejumo<br/>Cambridge University Press & Assessment</b><br/><br/>Ozohu is a Product Owner at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, where she leads the continued transformation of a key digital service that supports fair and inclusive access to assessments for candidates who require additional arrangements. Since taking on the role in March 2025, she has led the stabilisation and evolution of the platform, helping to strengthen its scalability, improve ways of working, and enable better visibility and decision-making across teams.

Ozohu Adejumo
Cambridge University Press & Assessment

Ozohu is a Product Owner at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, where she leads the continued transformation of a key digital service that supports fair and inclusive access to assessments for candidates who require additional arrangements. Since taking on the role in March 2025, she has led the stabilisation and evolution of the platform, helping to strengthen its scalability, improve ways of working, and enable better visibility and decision-making across teams.

Roya Rahimi
University of Wolverhampton

Professor Roya Rahimi is Professor of Marketing and Leisure Management at the University of Wolverhampton and an internationally recognised researcher specialising in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, tourism, entrepreneurship and service innovation. She has led numerous international research and knowledge exchange projects that connect academia, industry and policy to deliver real-world impact. Professor Rahimi currently leads the British Council-funded ELEVATE project, an international initiative empowering women entrepreneurs in earthquake-affected regions of Türkiye through AI-enabled digital skills, digital marketing and business resilience.

<b>Ruth Hopkins<br/>K’antu Ensemble</b><br/><br/>For over 15 years, Ruth Hopkins has brought together the arts and inclusive design to create new opportunities for disabled people to participate as creators rather than the audience. Her work is deeply personal, shaped by more than 20 years supporting her disabled father. After seeing first-hand how music and creativity can support rehabilitation, communication and wellbeing, it inspired her commitment to removing barriers through innovation. Alongside leading K’antu Ensemble, she also has an Executive MBA from the University of Oxford.

Ruth Hopkins
K’antu Ensemble

For over 15 years, Ruth Hopkins has brought together the arts and inclusive design to create new opportunities for disabled people to participate as creators rather than the audience. Her work is deeply personal, shaped by more than 20 years supporting her disabled father. After seeing first-hand how music and creativity can support rehabilitation, communication and wellbeing, it inspired her commitment to removing barriers through innovation. Alongside leading K’antu Ensemble, she also has an Executive MBA from the University of Oxford.

<b>Fatimah Bamisedun<br/>Anre Solutions Ltd</b><br/><br/>Fatimah Bamisedun is a strategy and digital transformation leader committed to using technology to widen opportunity and create positive social impact. As Programme Director at Founders4Schools, she led national digital skills programmes reaching more than 7,500 learners across the UK, expanding access to AI, cybersecurity and sustainability education. She has driven major transformation programmes internationally, advised Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation ecosystem, champions women founders, and now leads ANRE Solutions, developing innovative cross-sector intelligence solutions.

Fatimah Bamisedun
Anre Solutions Ltd

Fatimah Bamisedun is a strategy and digital transformation leader committed to using technology to widen opportunity and create positive social impact. As Programme Director at Founders4Schools, she led national digital skills programmes reaching more than 7,500 learners across the UK, expanding access to AI, cybersecurity and sustainability education. She has driven major transformation programmes internationally, advised Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation ecosystem, champions women founders, and now leads ANRE Solutions, developing innovative cross-sector intelligence solutions.

Innovator Award

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<b>Avantika Bhargava<br/>Kahawa Roots UK LTD</b><br/><br/>Avantika Bhargava is a sustainability, energy-data and technology professional with approximately seven years of experience across higher education, global technology, professional services and ethical supply chains. She began her career in technical support and data operations, progressing to a Senior Data and Support Engineer role at Microsoft, where she analysed large datasets, managed global service operations and supervised international engineering teams. Since March 2025, she has also served as Sustainability and Traceability Systems Lead at Kahawa Roots.

Avantika Bhargava
Kahawa Roots UK LTD

Avantika Bhargava is a sustainability, energy-data and technology professional with approximately seven years of experience across higher education, global technology, professional services and ethical supply chains. She began her career in technical support and data operations, progressing to a Senior Data and Support Engineer role at Microsoft, where she analysed large datasets, managed global service operations and supervised international engineering teams. Since March 2025, she has also served as Sustainability and Traceability Systems Lead at Kahawa Roots.

<b>Claire Downes<br/>Virtual Decisions</b><br/><br/>Claire Downes is CEO and co-founder of Virtual Decisions, which she established in 2018 after a career in creative arts, education and screenwriting. She leads the company's strategy, programme design and partnerships, overseeing the development of decision-led VR experiences that support youth justice, safeguarding and violence prevention. Under Claire's leadership, Virtual Decisions has delivered evidence-based VR programmes across mainstream schools, Alternative Provisions and SEN settings nationally, working with partners such as Violence Reduction Units, Youth Offending Teams and local authorities.

Claire Downes
Virtual Decisions

Claire Downes is CEO and co-founder of Virtual Decisions, which she established in 2018 after a career in creative arts, education and screenwriting. She leads the company's strategy, programme design and partnerships, overseeing the development of decision-led VR experiences that support youth justice, safeguarding and violence prevention. Under Claire's leadership, Virtual Decisions has delivered evidence-based VR programmes across mainstream schools, Alternative Provisions and SEN settings nationally, working with partners such as Violence Reduction Units, Youth Offending Teams and local authorities.

<b>Emma Armstrong<br/>Empro Business Group LTD</b><br/><br/>Emma Armstrong is the founder and Director of Empro, a specialist TUPE and workforce mobilisation consultancy she established in 2018. Prior to founding Empro, Emma led the mobilisation of self-delivered FM services, giving her direct, first-hand experience of the complexity and pressure involved in large-scale workforce transfers. Over her career, she has personally led the transfer of more than 60,000 employees through TUPE processes, including 23,000+ since founding Empro.

Emma Armstrong
Empro Business Group LTD

Emma Armstrong is the founder and Director of Empro, a specialist TUPE and workforce mobilisation consultancy she established in 2018. Prior to founding Empro, Emma led the mobilisation of self-delivered FM services, giving her direct, first-hand experience of the complexity and pressure involved in large-scale workforce transfers. Over her career, she has personally led the transfer of more than 60,000 employees through TUPE processes, including 23,000+ since founding Empro.

<b>Harper ZHU<br/>Kotoko AI</b><br/><br/>Harper Zhu is co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Kotoko AI, a role she has held since founding the studio in 2023. She owns the product end to end: product definition, systems design, feature specification and live operations across all of Bside's systems. Before founding Kotoko, she spent seven years in game design at Tencent, FunPlus, Moonton and Yahaha Studios, working on mobile and free-to-play titles including Design Island, featured by both the App Store and Google Play.

Harper ZHU
Kotoko AI

Harper Zhu is co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Kotoko AI, a role she has held since founding the studio in 2023. She owns the product end to end: product definition, systems design, feature specification and live operations across all of Bside's systems. Before founding Kotoko, she spent seven years in game design at Tencent, FunPlus, Moonton and Yahaha Studios, working on mobile and free-to-play titles including Design Island, featured by both the App Store and Google Play.

<b>Helena Coombs<br/>Arup</b><br/><br/>Helena is a Senior Geospatial Analyst at Arup and a recognised leader in digital innovation for infrastructure. Over the past eight years, she has pioneered smarter ways to collect, manage and use data, helping clients and project teams make faster, more informed decisions while improving efficiency, quality and safety. Widely regarded as Arup's go-to expert in digital asset management, survey technologies and geospatial solutions, Helena has transformed complex data challenges into practical, scalable tools that deliver real value.

Helena Coombs
Arup

Helena is a Senior Geospatial Analyst at Arup and a recognised leader in digital innovation for infrastructure. Over the past eight years, she has pioneered smarter ways to collect, manage and use data, helping clients and project teams make faster, more informed decisions while improving efficiency, quality and safety. Widely regarded as Arup's go-to expert in digital asset management, survey technologies and geospatial solutions, Helena has transformed complex data challenges into practical, scalable tools that deliver real value.

<b>Juliana Smith<br/>Zure</b><br/><br/>Juliana Smith is a Chartered IT Professional (CITP) and multi-award-winning data expert with a background in Physical Oceanography. For over 15 years, she has explored the stories hidden within data, specialising since 2020 in analytics engineering, data design and accessible data visualisation. Juliana combines technical expertise with human-centred design to transform complex datasets into meaningful, inclusive experiences. Her work focuses on applying WCAG-aligned accessibility principles to analytics, helping organisations create data products that are clearer, more usable and accessible to diverse audiences.

Juliana Smith
Zure

Juliana Smith is a Chartered IT Professional (CITP) and multi-award-winning data expert with a background in Physical Oceanography. For over 15 years, she has explored the stories hidden within data, specialising since 2020 in analytics engineering, data design and accessible data visualisation. Juliana combines technical expertise with human-centred design to transform complex datasets into meaningful, inclusive experiences. Her work focuses on applying WCAG-aligned accessibility principles to analytics, helping organisations create data products that are clearer, more usable and accessible to diverse audiences.

<b>Kiran Gulia<br/>University of Wolverhampton</b><br/><br/>Dr Kiran Gulia is an academic innovator whose career has been defined by turning materials science into real-world solutions for national and global challenges. She completed her PhD at the prestigious Heriot-Watt University in Laser Material Interaction processes applied to electronic-semiconductor materials. She worked in the United-States with defence companies before returning to University of Birmingham where she became Manager of the Additive Manufacturing Laboratory, in advanced materials and manufacturing.

Kiran Gulia
University of Wolverhampton

Dr Kiran Gulia is an academic innovator whose career has been defined by turning materials science into real-world solutions for national and global challenges. She completed her PhD at the prestigious Heriot-Watt University in Laser Material Interaction processes applied to electronic-semiconductor materials. She worked in the United-States with defence companies before returning to University of Birmingham where she became Manager of the Additive Manufacturing Laboratory, in advanced materials and manufacturing.

<b>Rajni Sharma<br/>NTT DATA UKI</b><br/><br/>Rajni Sharma is a Lead Salesforce Architect in NTT DATA's UK and Ireland Salesforce Practice, and one of the practice's most respected technical leaders. She has 22 years in technology. She began in 2004 as a .NET and SharePoint developer, moved through senior developer and technical lead roles to 2015, then changed technology entirely in 2016 to move into Salesforce. She progressed from Salesforce developer to senior developer by 2018, and into architecture in 2020.

Rajni Sharma
NTT DATA UKI

Rajni Sharma is a Lead Salesforce Architect in NTT DATA's UK and Ireland Salesforce Practice, and one of the practice's most respected technical leaders. She has 22 years in technology. She began in 2004 as a .NET and SharePoint developer, moved through senior developer and technical lead roles to 2015, then changed technology entirely in 2016 to move into Salesforce. She progressed from Salesforce developer to senior developer by 2018, and into architecture in 2020.

<b>Tiffany Kertesz<br/>welvow</b><br/><br/>Tiffany Kertesz is a trained acupuncturist, yoga teacher and founder whose innovation is shaped by first-hand experience of fragmented wellbeing support. Through her work, she recognised how difficult it can be for people to find trusted, relevant help at the right time and set out to create a more connected solution. Her approach combines community insight, lived experience and technology to improve access to wellbeing support and make trusted services easier to discover.

Tiffany Kertesz
welvow

Tiffany Kertesz is a trained acupuncturist, yoga teacher and founder whose innovation is shaped by first-hand experience of fragmented wellbeing support. Through her work, she recognised how difficult it can be for people to find trusted, relevant help at the right time and set out to create a more connected solution. Her approach combines community insight, lived experience and technology to improve access to wellbeing support and make trusted services easier to discover.

<b>Uliana Salo<br/>Thedogs LTD</b><br/><br/>Uliana Salo is Head of Design at Thedogs LTD, based in London. She studied programming — one of four women in a cohort of thirty — started out as a software engineer building websites, then moved into design and joined Yandex in 2016. At Yandex she worked on Zen, a news aggregator and content feed reaching 70 million monthly users, which had no blogging tools when she joined.

Uliana Salo
Thedogs LTD

Uliana Salo is Head of Design at Thedogs LTD, based in London. She studied programming — one of four women in a cohort of thirty — started out as a software engineer building websites, then moved into design and joined Yandex in 2016. At Yandex she worked on Zen, a news aggregator and content feed reaching 70 million monthly users, which had no blogging tools when she joined.

<b>Vaishnavi Veer<br/>Financial Education Crew Ltd</b><br/><br/>Vaishnavi Veer is the Founder and CEO of Financial Education Crew. Like most founders, she wears more hats than she'd care to count, but her strengths lie in product innovation, research, strategic partnerships and securing funding to turn bold ideas into reality. Originally from India, she was the first in her family to move to the UK to pursue higher education. While the impact was encouraging, she realised traditional teaching methods weren't enough to create lasting behaviour change.

Vaishnavi Veer
Financial Education Crew Ltd

Vaishnavi Veer is the Founder and CEO of Financial Education Crew. Like most founders, she wears more hats than she'd care to count, but her strengths lie in product innovation, research, strategic partnerships and securing funding to turn bold ideas into reality. Originally from India, she was the first in her family to move to the UK to pursue higher education. While the impact was encouraging, she realised traditional teaching methods weren't enough to create lasting behaviour change.

<b>Yunjia Guo<br/>Kotoko AI</b><br/><br/>Yunjia "Sherry" Guo is Chief Technology Officer at Kotoko AI and the hands-on technical lead for Bside. She leads the product’s technical architecture and engineering delivery, with a focus on game development and AI character systems, and she recruited and built the engineering team behind the product. Yunjia has an academic background in physics, mathematics and game technology. She began her industry career at Tencent’s TiMi Studios. In 2023, she joined Kotoko AI and initially took responsibility for Bside’s game development.

Yunjia Guo
Kotoko AI

Yunjia "Sherry" Guo is Chief Technology Officer at Kotoko AI and the hands-on technical lead for Bside. She leads the product’s technical architecture and engineering delivery, with a focus on game development and AI character systems, and she recruited and built the engineering team behind the product. Yunjia has an academic background in physics, mathematics and game technology. She began her industry career at Tencent’s TiMi Studios. In 2023, she joined Kotoko AI and initially took responsibility for Bside’s game development.

Project Delivery Lead Award

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Catherine Turrell
NTT DATA Inc UKI

Catherine Turrell is a Senior Client Project Manager in NTT United Kingdom's UK&I Technical Services, leading complex technology transformation for major enterprise clients. She runs a portfolio of high-profile Vodafone programmes: DC Evolution, NGA AI Ops Network Segregation, Churchill Contact Centre Connectivity, WiFi 6 Phase 2, Exadata and Office Refresh. DC Evolution alone is a total refresh of the client's data centre networking across four key data centres, running five phases since 2022 at a value of £2,881,360.

<b>Charalampia Komopoulou<br/>Red Hat</b><br/><br/>Charalampia is a motivated and technically grounded Project Manager with a proven track record of delivering impactful software and automation solutions across a range of industries—including banking, telecommunications, government, and aviation. With a foundation in Mathematics (BA) and a Master’s in Data Science, she brings a unique blend of analytical thinking, technical expertise, and strategic leadership to every project she leads. This hands-on experience allows her to bridge the gap between technical teams and business stakeholders with confidence and clarity.

Charalampia Komopoulou
Red Hat

Charalampia is a motivated and technically grounded Project Manager with a proven track record of delivering impactful software and automation solutions across a range of industries—including banking, telecommunications, government, and aviation. With a foundation in Mathematics (BA) and a Master’s in Data Science, she brings a unique blend of analytical thinking, technical expertise, and strategic leadership to every project she leads. This hands-on experience allows her to bridge the gap between technical teams and business stakeholders with confidence and clarity.

<b>Clair Bennett<br/>NTT DATA inc UK&I</b><br/><br/>Clair Bennett is a Senior Client Project Manager at NTT United Kingdom, working across client delivery and internal transformation at the same time. On the client side she led a year-long programme for Hitachi Rail that began with no design and a broad directive to deploy virtual machines, and grew from an initial contract value of £378,000 to £2.5 million to date across professional services and design, with a further £1.2 million of Oracle work in FY25.

Clair Bennett
NTT DATA inc UK&I

Clair Bennett is a Senior Client Project Manager at NTT United Kingdom, working across client delivery and internal transformation at the same time. On the client side she led a year-long programme for Hitachi Rail that began with no design and a broad directive to deploy virtual machines, and grew from an initial contract value of £378,000 to £2.5 million to date across professional services and design, with a further £1.2 million of Oracle work in FY25.

<b>Clare Esler<br/>Arup</b><br/><br/>Clare Esler is Senior Geospatial Consultant at Arup, based in Glasgow. She began her career as a planner at VG Energy, helping farmers develop independent renewable energy projects, before moving into geospatial work full time. She spent four years as a GIS Consultant at Mouchel (later acquired by WSP) on the A9 Dualling Compulsory Purchase Order, where she led the digitisation of historic Sasine and records for Transport Scotland and became one of the key geospatial practitioners on the scheme.

Clare Esler
Arup

Clare Esler is Senior Geospatial Consultant at Arup, based in Glasgow. She began her career as a planner at VG Energy, helping farmers develop independent renewable energy projects, before moving into geospatial work full time. She spent four years as a GIS Consultant at Mouchel (later acquired by WSP) on the A9 Dualling Compulsory Purchase Order, where she led the digitisation of historic Sasine and records for Transport Scotland and became one of the key geospatial practitioners on the scheme.

<b>Imogen Stevens<br/>Met Office</b><br/><br/>Imogen is a Senior Programme Manager at the Met Office with more than 25 years’ experience leading complex technology, transformation and data delivery programmes across the public and private sectors. Since joining the Met Office in 2014, she has held a series of senior delivery roles, building a strong reputation for turning strategic ambition into structured, assured and measurable delivery. She also led the £14m p.a. Weather and Climate Science for Service Partnership (WCSSP), a flagship international science programme spanning 9 countries.

Imogen Stevens
Met Office

Imogen is a Senior Programme Manager at the Met Office with more than 25 years’ experience leading complex technology, transformation and data delivery programmes across the public and private sectors. Since joining the Met Office in 2014, she has held a series of senior delivery roles, building a strong reputation for turning strategic ambition into structured, assured and measurable delivery. She also led the £14m p.a. Weather and Climate Science for Service Partnership (WCSSP), a flagship international science programme spanning 9 countries.

<b>Katarina Rohweder<br/>NTT DATA Inc UK&I</b><br/><br/>Katarina Rohweder is a Client Project Manager at NTT DATA Inc UK&I. She delivers network and infrastructure programmes for global manufacturing clients, usually inside live operational environments where taking production down is not an option. She started at IBM International Services Centre in 2010 and was nominated for the IBM Top Talent programme. Her work covers SD-WAN design and proof of concept, LAN and WLAN refreshes at manufacturing sites, and firewall modernisation across regions.

Katarina Rohweder
NTT DATA Inc UK&I

Katarina Rohweder is a Client Project Manager at NTT DATA Inc UK&I. She delivers network and infrastructure programmes for global manufacturing clients, usually inside live operational environments where taking production down is not an option. She started at IBM International Services Centre in 2010 and was nominated for the IBM Top Talent programme. Her work covers SD-WAN design and proof of concept, LAN and WLAN refreshes at manufacturing sites, and firewall modernisation across regions.

<b>Michele Jacobs<br/>Castle Trust Bank</b><br/><br/>Michele joined Castle Trust Bank in October 2025 as a Delivery Manager, bringing more than 10 years' experience leading complex technology and business transformation programmes across financial services and software organisations. Throughout her career, she has built a strong reputation for delivering large-scale change, establishing governance frameworks, leading international delivery teams and successfully implementing regulatory and business-critical initiatives. Her calm leadership ensured teams remained focused despite evolving regulatory requirements and competing business priorities.

Michele Jacobs
Castle Trust Bank

Michele joined Castle Trust Bank in October 2025 as a Delivery Manager, bringing more than 10 years' experience leading complex technology and business transformation programmes across financial services and software organisations. Throughout her career, she has built a strong reputation for delivering large-scale change, establishing governance frameworks, leading international delivery teams and successfully implementing regulatory and business-critical initiatives. Her calm leadership ensured teams remained focused despite evolving regulatory requirements and competing business priorities.

<b>Natalie Whitaker<br/>NTT Data Inc UK&I</b><br/><br/>Natalie Whitaker is a Senior Client Project Manager at NTT United Kingdom, leading complex telecommunications and infrastructure transformation programmes. She leads Vodafone's NFV-to-ACI programme, which is modernising the network by replacing legacy HPE 12K-based core switching and routing with ACI fabric across UK sites. The programme now spans ten sites with capacity expansion on five of them, at a current value of £1,413,865, delivered by a team of five.

Natalie Whitaker
NTT Data Inc UK&I

Natalie Whitaker is a Senior Client Project Manager at NTT United Kingdom, leading complex telecommunications and infrastructure transformation programmes. She leads Vodafone's NFV-to-ACI programme, which is modernising the network by replacing legacy HPE 12K-based core switching and routing with ACI fabric across UK sites. The programme now spans ten sites with capacity expansion on five of them, at a current value of £1,413,865, delivered by a team of five.

<b>Naz Ghader-Pour<br/>NTT DATA UKI</b><br/><br/>Naz Ghader-Pour is a Data Delivery Programme Manager at NTT DATA UK&I, leading technical teams through complex data transformation programmes: strategic data platforms, data products and the business outcomes underneath them. She owns programme governance, stakeholder engagement, delivery planning and risk management on multi-million-pound programmes, and has managed multidisciplinary teams of more than 80 people. She holds a Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence. Her team's Best Team Award for the migration is the clearest external read on whether the leadership worked.

Naz Ghader-Pour
NTT DATA UKI

Naz Ghader-Pour is a Data Delivery Programme Manager at NTT DATA UK&I, leading technical teams through complex data transformation programmes: strategic data platforms, data products and the business outcomes underneath them. She owns programme governance, stakeholder engagement, delivery planning and risk management on multi-million-pound programmes, and has managed multidisciplinary teams of more than 80 people. She holds a Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence. Her team's Best Team Award for the migration is the clearest external read on whether the leadership worked.

<b>Robeela Ali<br/>NTT DATA Inc UK&I</b><br/><br/>Robeela Ali is a Project Delivery Lead in NTT DATA Inc UK&I's Salesforce practice, with over 16 years in Salesforce consulting and 19 Salesforce certifications, including Agent Blazer Legend. In 2024 she became Head of Business Analysis for the practice, running a sub-practice of business analysts across global teams, mentoring delivery professionals and shaping how the practice approaches discovery, stakeholder management and agile governance. Her delivery record spans government, fintech, motorsport and telecoms.

Robeela Ali
NTT DATA Inc UK&I

Robeela Ali is a Project Delivery Lead in NTT DATA Inc UK&I's Salesforce practice, with over 16 years in Salesforce consulting and 19 Salesforce certifications, including Agent Blazer Legend. In 2024 she became Head of Business Analysis for the practice, running a sub-practice of business analysts across global teams, mentoring delivery professionals and shaping how the practice approaches discovery, stakeholder management and agile governance. Her delivery record spans government, fintech, motorsport and telecoms.

<b>Sarah Sliwka<br/>Red Hat</b><br/><br/>Sarah is an Agile Delivery Lead at Red Hat, with 18 years’ experience delivering complex technology and digital transformation programmes for some of the world’s largest organisations. Her career spans financial services, government and global technology, delivering innovative, industry-leading solutions across security, cloud, infrastructure and digital services. Alongside her delivery career, Sarah is passionate about supporting and developing others. She mentors women both within and outside her teams, helping colleagues build confidence, identify career opportunities and progress into senior roles. Sarah also volunteers as part of a New Parent Peer Support Group, openly sharing her own experiences and supporting colleagues as they navigate parenthood alongside their careers. Sarah is a strong advocate for inclusive, supportive workplaces where people can thrive, and believes that creating opportunities for others is an important part of being a leader in technology.

Sarah Sliwka
Red Hat

Sarah is an Agile Delivery Lead at Red Hat, with 18 years’ experience delivering complex technology and digital transformation programmes for some of the world’s largest organisations. Her career spans financial services, government and global technology, delivering innovative, industry-leading solutions across security, cloud, infrastructure and digital services. Alongside her delivery career, Sarah is passionate about supporting and developing others. She mentors women both within and outside her teams, helping colleagues build confidence, identify career opportunities and progress into senior roles. Sarah also volunteers as part of a New Parent Peer Support Group, openly sharing her own experiences and supporting colleagues as they navigate parenthood alongside their careers. Sarah is a strong advocate for inclusive, supportive workplaces where people can thrive, and believes that creating opportunities for others is an important part of being a leader in technology.

<b>Sinead Cavanagh<br/>TXO</b><br/><br/>Sinead is a highly experienced transformation and programme leader with over 20 years’ experience in telecommunications and technology, spanning service management, major incident management, operations, project, programme and portfolio leadership. She began her career at Cable & Wireless (later became Vodafone), progressing from service desk into senior service and programme management roles, leading large scale customer, network and infrastructure programmes for organisations including the Ministry of Justice, police services, and major enterprise clients.

Sinead Cavanagh
TXO

Sinead is a highly experienced transformation and programme leader with over 20 years’ experience in telecommunications and technology, spanning service management, major incident management, operations, project, programme and portfolio leadership. She began her career at Cable & Wireless (later became Vodafone), progressing from service desk into senior service and programme management roles, leading large scale customer, network and infrastructure programmes for organisations including the Ministry of Justice, police services, and major enterprise clients.

Shining Star Award

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<b>Anupama Hatti<br/>NHS Blood and Transplant</b><br/><br/>Anupama Hatti is an award-winning technology and digital transformation leader with over 24 years of experience across healthcare, aerospace, defence and telecommunications. She began her career in India working on satellite imagery and GIS initiatives with ISRO and the Indian Institute of Science before progressing into senior leadership roles with Orange, Boeing, Expleo and now NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). She is responsible for strategic programme leadership, governance, commercial management, supplier partnerships, benefits realisation and executive stakeholder engagement.

Anupama Hatti
NHS Blood and Transplant

Anupama Hatti is an award-winning technology and digital transformation leader with over 24 years of experience across healthcare, aerospace, defence and telecommunications. She began her career in India working on satellite imagery and GIS initiatives with ISRO and the Indian Institute of Science before progressing into senior leadership roles with Orange, Boeing, Expleo and now NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). She is responsible for strategic programme leadership, governance, commercial management, supplier partnerships, benefits realisation and executive stakeholder engagement.

<b>Cherry Leay Sumugat<br/>NTT Data</b><br/><br/>Cherry Leay Sumugat is a distinguished leader at NTT DATA with 19 years of progressive experience in project management, technical support, service delivery, and employee engagement across the global travel and hospitality technology sector. A native of the Philippines, she built her early career managing international hospitality technology accounts, consistently demonstrating operational discipline, strategic execution, and a strong commitment to developing high‑performing teams. Her progression reflects Cherry’s commitment to structured mentoring, capability building, and empowering individuals to take on broader responsibilities.

Cherry Leay Sumugat
NTT Data

Cherry Leay Sumugat is a distinguished leader at NTT DATA with 19 years of progressive experience in project management, technical support, service delivery, and employee engagement across the global travel and hospitality technology sector. A native of the Philippines, she built her early career managing international hospitality technology accounts, consistently demonstrating operational discipline, strategic execution, and a strong commitment to developing high‑performing teams. Her progression reflects Cherry’s commitment to structured mentoring, capability building, and empowering individuals to take on broader responsibilities.

<b>Christina Kyriakidou<br/>Red Hat</b><br/><br/>Christina Kyriakidou is a Principal Architect at Red Hat with a 15-year career spanning consulting, enterprise architecture and complex digital transformation. She acts as a trusted technical strategist for major financial services clients, guiding cloud-native, hybrid-cloud and automation programmes from proof of concept through production. Christina also mentors junior and mid-level engineers, supports career progression and promotes women in technology, combining deep technical expertise with strategic leadership, customer focus and a strong commitment to developing others.

Christina Kyriakidou
Red Hat

Christina Kyriakidou is a Principal Architect at Red Hat with a 15-year career spanning consulting, enterprise architecture and complex digital transformation. She acts as a trusted technical strategist for major financial services clients, guiding cloud-native, hybrid-cloud and automation programmes from proof of concept through production. Christina also mentors junior and mid-level engineers, supports career progression and promotes women in technology, combining deep technical expertise with strategic leadership, customer focus and a strong commitment to developing others.

<b>Ellis Grange<br/>Arup</b><br/><br/>Ellis has over 12 years’ experience delivering geospatial and data-driven solutions across major infrastructure and environmental projects, progressing from a technical specialist into a strategic digital leader influencing how digital is embedded within complex project environments. In her current role as Senior Geospatial Consultant at Arup, Ellis provides digital leadership across major infrastructure programmes, acting as Digital and Geospatial Lead to ensure that data, systems and workflows are integrated from the earliest stages of design through to delivery.

Ellis Grange
Arup

Ellis has over 12 years’ experience delivering geospatial and data-driven solutions across major infrastructure and environmental projects, progressing from a technical specialist into a strategic digital leader influencing how digital is embedded within complex project environments. In her current role as Senior Geospatial Consultant at Arup, Ellis provides digital leadership across major infrastructure programmes, acting as Digital and Geospatial Lead to ensure that data, systems and workflows are integrated from the earliest stages of design through to delivery.

<b>Emer Bradley<br/>CMap software limited</b><br/><br/>Emer Bradley is an Engineering Manager at CMap, combining deep technical expertise with strong product understanding and people leadership. Since joining in 2018 as a Senior Software Developer, she has progressed to lead a high-performing development squad responsible for many of CMap’s most complex product upgrades. As the first female developer at CMap promoted to Engineering Manager, Emer is a visible role model, supporting colleagues’ progression while consistently setting high standards for delivery, professionalism and technical excellence.

Emer Bradley
CMap software limited

Emer Bradley is an Engineering Manager at CMap, combining deep technical expertise with strong product understanding and people leadership. Since joining in 2018 as a Senior Software Developer, she has progressed to lead a high-performing development squad responsible for many of CMap’s most complex product upgrades. As the first female developer at CMap promoted to Engineering Manager, Emer is a visible role model, supporting colleagues’ progression while consistently setting high standards for delivery, professionalism and technical excellence.

<b>Gemma Mills<br/>Namos Solutions</b><br/><br/>Gemma started life as an Oracle Support Consultant at Croydon Council in 2005 before joining Mokum as an Oracle delivery consultant. She quickly moved through the ranks due to her positive mindset and 'can do' attitude. Mokum were acquired by PwC were Gemma spent the next 7 years in various roles but moving to Alliances and Channels. Gemma is involved in the Oracle Women in Tech Group but has also created #TeamNamos WIT group.

Gemma Mills
Namos Solutions

Gemma started life as an Oracle Support Consultant at Croydon Council in 2005 before joining Mokum as an Oracle delivery consultant. She quickly moved through the ranks due to her positive mindset and 'can do' attitude. Mokum were acquired by PwC were Gemma spent the next 7 years in various roles but moving to Alliances and Channels. Gemma is involved in the Oracle Women in Tech Group but has also created #TeamNamos WIT group.

<b>Jane Holmes<br/>NTT Data UK & I</b><br/><br/>Jane Holmes is an exceptional senior technology leader with over 30 years’ experience in IT, delivering impactful outcomes across global organisations and complex service environments. Her career spans financial services, government, retail, and enterprise sectors, where she has consistently led large-scale service delivery and transformation initiatives. Notably, she has overseen service delivery across 34 EMEA markets, ensuring operational excellence, stability, and continuous improvement at scale. She is recognised for turning around underperforming services, strengthening client relationships, and delivering measurable business value.

Jane Holmes
NTT Data UK & I

Jane Holmes is an exceptional senior technology leader with over 30 years’ experience in IT, delivering impactful outcomes across global organisations and complex service environments. Her career spans financial services, government, retail, and enterprise sectors, where she has consistently led large-scale service delivery and transformation initiatives. Notably, she has overseen service delivery across 34 EMEA markets, ensuring operational excellence, stability, and continuous improvement at scale. She is recognised for turning around underperforming services, strengthening client relationships, and delivering measurable business value.

<b>Kseniia Korostelova<br/>Kseniia Korostelova</b><br/><br/>Kseniia Korostelova is a Senior Engineering Manager with 13 years of experience in software engineering, quality engineering, technology leadership, and large-scale digital transformation. She has built her career within NeoGames and, following its acquisition, Aristocrat Interactive, progressing from engineering and quality leadership roles into senior engineering management positions with responsibility for both people and technology strategy. In her current role, Kseniia leads engineering managers, senior technical specialists, and cross-functional initiatives that support critical platform capabilities across regulated gaming markets.

Kseniia Korostelova
Kseniia Korostelova

Kseniia Korostelova is a Senior Engineering Manager with 13 years of experience in software engineering, quality engineering, technology leadership, and large-scale digital transformation. She has built her career within NeoGames and, following its acquisition, Aristocrat Interactive, progressing from engineering and quality leadership roles into senior engineering management positions with responsibility for both people and technology strategy. In her current role, Kseniia leads engineering managers, senior technical specialists, and cross-functional initiatives that support critical platform capabilities across regulated gaming markets.

<b>Laura Bint<br/>Babble Cloud</b><br/><br/>With over 24 years of experience in the IT services industry, she has built her career around helping businesses use technology to drive meaningful outcomes. She started in account management, developing a strong foundation in customer relationships, commercial strategy, and long-term client growth. Over time, she progressed into senior roles, leading high-performing sales teams and managing complex portfolios across SMB and mid-market sectors. She specialise in navigating complex stakeholder environments, driving strategic conversations, and delivering scalable, outcome-led solutions.

Laura Bint
Babble Cloud

With over 24 years of experience in the IT services industry, she has built her career around helping businesses use technology to drive meaningful outcomes. She started in account management, developing a strong foundation in customer relationships, commercial strategy, and long-term client growth. Over time, she progressed into senior roles, leading high-performing sales teams and managing complex portfolios across SMB and mid-market sectors. She specialise in navigating complex stakeholder environments, driving strategic conversations, and delivering scalable, outcome-led solutions.

<b>Maria Nugroho<br/>SAP</b><br/><br/>Maria Nugroho is an enterprise AI Strategist at SAP and a Cambridge-educated marketing commercialisation leader with over 13 years at the forefront of cloud and AI adoption across some of the world's most influential technology companies. Currently serving as Solutions Marketing Lead at SAP, Maria leads go-to-market strategy for Finance and Spend Management during a pivotal shift toward AI-integrated enterprise solutions — delivering 177% of annual pipeline target and growing average deal size by 55%.

Maria Nugroho
SAP

Maria Nugroho is an enterprise AI Strategist at SAP and a Cambridge-educated marketing commercialisation leader with over 13 years at the forefront of cloud and AI adoption across some of the world's most influential technology companies. Currently serving as Solutions Marketing Lead at SAP, Maria leads go-to-market strategy for Finance and Spend Management during a pivotal shift toward AI-integrated enterprise solutions — delivering 177% of annual pipeline target and growing average deal size by 55%.

<b>Meena Murali<br/>NTT DATA Inc UK&I</b><br/><br/>Meena Murali is a Data and Analytics Lead at NTT DATA with over 18 years delivering large-scale data transformation and technology modernisation across aviation, insurance, telecoms and energy. What distinguishes her is range. She has been the lead data engineer and she has been the business analyst, so she moves between hands-on engineering and business-facing leadership and holds trust on both sides of the table, which is rare in data delivery and rarer still under pressure.

Meena Murali
NTT DATA Inc UK&I

Meena Murali is a Data and Analytics Lead at NTT DATA with over 18 years delivering large-scale data transformation and technology modernisation across aviation, insurance, telecoms and energy. What distinguishes her is range. She has been the lead data engineer and she has been the business analyst, so she moves between hands-on engineering and business-facing leadership and holds trust on both sides of the table, which is rare in data delivery and rarer still under pressure.

<b>Sarah Peck<br/>Indeed Flex</b><br/><br/>Sarah is a versatile and results-driven senior leader, with over 20 years of experience across start-up management, HR Tech, and hospitality. Her career is defined by a remarkable nine-year journey at Indeed Flex UK (formerly Syft Online Limited UK), where she played a foundational role in scaling the business from a start-up to a high-value acquisition. Demonstrating exceptional professional growth, in just four years, she has moved from Mid-Market Director to her current appointment as UK Country Manager in January 2023.

Sarah Peck
Indeed Flex

Sarah is a versatile and results-driven senior leader, with over 20 years of experience across start-up management, HR Tech, and hospitality. Her career is defined by a remarkable nine-year journey at Indeed Flex UK (formerly Syft Online Limited UK), where she played a foundational role in scaling the business from a start-up to a high-value acquisition. Demonstrating exceptional professional growth, in just four years, she has moved from Mid-Market Director to her current appointment as UK Country Manager in January 2023.

Tech Professional (Non-Coding) Award

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<b>Alex Shaw<br/>Acorn insurance</b><br/><br/>Having built her career at the firm through dedicated internal progression, Alex Shaw currently serves as Head of Projects at The Acorn Group. In this role, she directs the project management office, overseeing large-scale business transformations and strategic technology initiatives. Her key responsibilities include driving cross-departmental alignment, ensuring efficient delivery, and actively mentoring her team to foster internal career mobility. When Acorn rolls out massive technological shifts, she ensures deployments happen seamlessly without disrupting the vital daily workflow of over 1,700 employees.

Alex Shaw
Acorn insurance

Having built her career at the firm through dedicated internal progression, Alex Shaw currently serves as Head of Projects at The Acorn Group. In this role, she directs the project management office, overseeing large-scale business transformations and strategic technology initiatives. Her key responsibilities include driving cross-departmental alignment, ensuring efficient delivery, and actively mentoring her team to foster internal career mobility. When Acorn rolls out massive technological shifts, she ensures deployments happen seamlessly without disrupting the vital daily workflow of over 1,700 employees.

<b>Alison Eyo<br/>PicsArt</b><br/><br/>Alison Eyo is a Senior Product Designer based in London with six years of experience across product design, AI powered tools, fintech, design systems, and public technology education. Her work is driven by a deep curiosity about why people behave the way they do, why products succeed, and how technology can become clearer, more useful, and easier to adopt. Most recently at Picsart Flow, she has worked on AI enabled creative experiences, helping users understand, trust, and adopt new creative workflows.

Alison Eyo
PicsArt

Alison Eyo is a Senior Product Designer based in London with six years of experience across product design, AI powered tools, fintech, design systems, and public technology education. Her work is driven by a deep curiosity about why people behave the way they do, why products succeed, and how technology can become clearer, more useful, and easier to adopt. Most recently at Picsart Flow, she has worked on AI enabled creative experiences, helping users understand, trust, and adopt new creative workflows.

<b>Averi Pal<br/>London Stock Exchange Group</b><br/><br/>As Global Head of Sales Effectiveness and Strategic Deals at LSEG, she leads teams responsible for strategic deal enablement, sales effectiveness, commercial transformation and capability development across a global organisation. Averi’s expertise sits at the intersection of commercial strategy, data, technology adoption, AI enablement and organisational transformation. While she is not a software engineer or developer, her role focuses on ensuring that technology investments translate into measurable business outcomes, operational efficiencies and improved customer experiences.

Averi Pal
London Stock Exchange Group

As Global Head of Sales Effectiveness and Strategic Deals at LSEG, she leads teams responsible for strategic deal enablement, sales effectiveness, commercial transformation and capability development across a global organisation. Averi’s expertise sits at the intersection of commercial strategy, data, technology adoption, AI enablement and organisational transformation. While she is not a software engineer or developer, her role focuses on ensuring that technology investments translate into measurable business outcomes, operational efficiencies and improved customer experiences.

<b>Cristina Sabau<br/>The National Heart Clinic</b><br/><br/>Cristina Sabau has spent her career at the intersection of healthcare, technology, sustainability and operational transformation. For almost two decades she has helped organisations adopt innovation responsibly—designing systems that improve efficiency, reduce waste, strengthen governance and, most importantly, allow clinicians to spend more time caring for patients. Long before artificial intelligence became mainstream, Cristina was championing technology that removed unnecessary administration rather than replacing human expertise. Her passion for sustainability extends beyond environmental responsibility.

Cristina Sabau
The National Heart Clinic

Cristina Sabau has spent her career at the intersection of healthcare, technology, sustainability and operational transformation. For almost two decades she has helped organisations adopt innovation responsibly—designing systems that improve efficiency, reduce waste, strengthen governance and, most importantly, allow clinicians to spend more time caring for patients. Long before artificial intelligence became mainstream, Cristina was championing technology that removed unnecessary administration rather than replacing human expertise. Her passion for sustainability extends beyond environmental responsibility.

<b>Dawn Emmerton<br/>Mitie Waste and Environmental</b><br/><br/>Dawn Emmerton joined Mitie Waste and Environmental in 2011 as a Client Data Coordinator and has progressed through team leadership and systems management to become Head of Systems and MI in April 2026. Her career reflects sustained growth, deep operational knowledge and a strong focus on improving technology-enabled processes. Dawn is recognised for routinely going beyond expectations to solve problems, strengthen systems and support colleagues, helping ensure data and management information services deliver practical value across the organisation.

Dawn Emmerton
Mitie Waste and Environmental

Dawn Emmerton joined Mitie Waste and Environmental in 2011 as a Client Data Coordinator and has progressed through team leadership and systems management to become Head of Systems and MI in April 2026. Her career reflects sustained growth, deep operational knowledge and a strong focus on improving technology-enabled processes. Dawn is recognised for routinely going beyond expectations to solve problems, strengthen systems and support colleagues, helping ensure data and management information services deliver practical value across the organisation.

<b>Jane Holmes<br/>NTT Data</b><br/><br/>Jane Holmes is a senior IT service management leader with over 30 years’ experience delivering transformation across global organisations. She began her career in financial services before progressing into consultancy and leadership roles, including running her own service management consultancy for 12 years. She has held senior positions at organisations such as Avon, where she led global service strategy, delivery, and large-scale improvement programmes. Her responsibilities include establishing service management frameworks, leading teams, and ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery across client engagements.

Jane Holmes
NTT Data

Jane Holmes is a senior IT service management leader with over 30 years’ experience delivering transformation across global organisations. She began her career in financial services before progressing into consultancy and leadership roles, including running her own service management consultancy for 12 years. She has held senior positions at organisations such as Avon, where she led global service strategy, delivery, and large-scale improvement programmes. Her responsibilities include establishing service management frameworks, leading teams, and ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery across client engagements.

<b>Katie Bennett<br/>Met Office</b><br/><br/>Katie Bennett is Head of the Government Digital and Data profession at the Met Office, where she leads the strategic development of a digital, data and technology community spanning more than 650 colleagues across seven job families and over 30 roles. Since taking on the role in 2025, she has focused on shaping profession-wide standards, strengthening job family leadership and building the capability, confidence and shared identity needed for a mature digital, data and technology profession.

Katie Bennett
Met Office

Katie Bennett is Head of the Government Digital and Data profession at the Met Office, where she leads the strategic development of a digital, data and technology community spanning more than 650 colleagues across seven job families and over 30 roles. Since taking on the role in 2025, she has focused on shaping profession-wide standards, strengthening job family leadership and building the capability, confidence and shared identity needed for a mature digital, data and technology profession.

<b>Kelly Paterson<br/>Serco</b><br/><br/>Kelly Paterson is the Chief Information Security Officer at Serco, responsible for shaping and leading the global security strategy across one of the world’s largest public services organisations. She oversees cyber resilience, risk management and security governance for operations spanning defence, justice, immigration, health, transport and citizen services, supporting a workforce of around 60,000 people worldwide. Her work there focused on strengthening organisational resilience, modernising security capabilities and navigating the unique challenges of large‑scale digital transformation in the public sector.

Kelly Paterson
Serco

Kelly Paterson is the Chief Information Security Officer at Serco, responsible for shaping and leading the global security strategy across one of the world’s largest public services organisations. She oversees cyber resilience, risk management and security governance for operations spanning defence, justice, immigration, health, transport and citizen services, supporting a workforce of around 60,000 people worldwide. Her work there focused on strengthening organisational resilience, modernising security capabilities and navigating the unique challenges of large‑scale digital transformation in the public sector.

<b>Olivia Rodrigues<br/>Donhead Preparatory School</b><br/><br/>Olivia Rodrigues is an award-winning education technology leader and Assistant Headteacher: Technology & Innovation at Donhead Preparatory School in Wimbledon. With a career rooted in primary education, Olivia has progressed into senior leadership through her expertise in digital strategy, curriculum innovation and inclusive STEM education. In her current role, she leads whole-school digital transformation, including 1:1 device integration, staff professional development, AI literacy, and the design of a bespoke digital skills curriculum alongside a purpose-built makerspace.

Olivia Rodrigues
Donhead Preparatory School

Olivia Rodrigues is an award-winning education technology leader and Assistant Headteacher: Technology & Innovation at Donhead Preparatory School in Wimbledon. With a career rooted in primary education, Olivia has progressed into senior leadership through her expertise in digital strategy, curriculum innovation and inclusive STEM education. In her current role, she leads whole-school digital transformation, including 1:1 device integration, staff professional development, AI literacy, and the design of a bespoke digital skills curriculum alongside a purpose-built makerspace.

<b>Shilpa Gopikrishna<br/>SURE SOLUTIONS</b><br/><br/>Shilpa Gopikrishna is an accomplished Product Manager with over 15 years of experience leading product strategy, digital transformation and technology innovation across SaaS, Data-as-a-Service (DaaS), Equipment-as-a-Service (EaaS), AI and B2B/B2C platforms. Her expertise spans AI-powered video analytics, computer vision, IoT, cloud technologies, ERP systems and data-driven products, enabling organisations to modernise operations and deliver measurable business value. She has led cross-functional teams and managed senior stakeholders across engineering, operations, commercial and executive leadership, translating business challenges into scalable, customer-centric solutions.

Shilpa Gopikrishna
SURE SOLUTIONS

Shilpa Gopikrishna is an accomplished Product Manager with over 15 years of experience leading product strategy, digital transformation and technology innovation across SaaS, Data-as-a-Service (DaaS), Equipment-as-a-Service (EaaS), AI and B2B/B2C platforms. Her expertise spans AI-powered video analytics, computer vision, IoT, cloud technologies, ERP systems and data-driven products, enabling organisations to modernise operations and deliver measurable business value. She has led cross-functional teams and managed senior stakeholders across engineering, operations, commercial and executive leadership, translating business challenges into scalable, customer-centric solutions.

Sinead Cavanagh
TXO

Sinead is a highly experienced transformation and programme leader with over 20 years’ experience in telecommunications and technology, spanning service management, major incident management, operations, project, programme and portfolio leadership. She began her career at Cable & Wireless (later became Vodafone), progressing from service desk into senior service and programme management roles, leading large scale customer, network and infrastructure programmes for organisations including the Ministry of Justice, police services, and major enterprise clients.

<b>Thulasi Bomma<br/>Tesco</b><br/><br/>Thulasi Bomma is Head of Software Development for Store Customer Applications at Tesco Technology UK, with over two decades of experience driving innovation across retail and finance. A strategic technology leader, Thulasi has led transformative programs that deliver complex, customer-centric solutions while improving operational efficiency and developer experience. Her leadership was pivotal in the strategic rewrite of Tesco’s Tills UI, aligning cutting-edge technology with business goals and ensuring minimal disruption.

Thulasi Bomma
Tesco

Thulasi Bomma is Head of Software Development for Store Customer Applications at Tesco Technology UK, with over two decades of experience driving innovation across retail and finance. A strategic technology leader, Thulasi has led transformative programs that deliver complex, customer-centric solutions while improving operational efficiency and developer experience. Her leadership was pivotal in the strategic rewrite of Tesco’s Tills UI, aligning cutting-edge technology with business goals and ensuring minimal disruption.

Tech Entrepreneur Award

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<b>Anne Morris<br/>Peerscroller (Yipiyap)</b><br/><br/>Anne Morris is an educator, entrepreneur and passionate advocate for peer learning. She began her career as a secondary mathematics teacher at Bury Grammar School before moving into accountancy with KPMG, gaining valuable commercial and organisational experience. Inspired by concerns about poor numeracy levels across the UK, Anne combined her educational expertise and business insight to establish Yipiyap in 2012. She is responsible for the company’s strategic direction, educational vision, partnerships, service development and operational leadership.

Anne Morris
Peerscroller (Yipiyap)

Anne Morris is an educator, entrepreneur and passionate advocate for peer learning. She began her career as a secondary mathematics teacher at Bury Grammar School before moving into accountancy with KPMG, gaining valuable commercial and organisational experience. Inspired by concerns about poor numeracy levels across the UK, Anne combined her educational expertise and business insight to establish Yipiyap in 2012. She is responsible for the company’s strategic direction, educational vision, partnerships, service development and operational leadership.

Gabrielle Crofts
B13

With over 16 years of experience helping businesses accelerate revenue growth and improve operational performance, her role as CEO is to lead the next phase of growth at B13. Gabrielle’s responsibilities include; fostering our culture and values, driving growth, nurturing talent, funding our own innovation through organic growth, and promoting B13's brand within the SME ecosystem. Rather than tweak our existing model, she led rapid ICP experiments that materially increased our pipeline within the first 4 months.

<b>Hanna Roos<br/>Aavalynx</b><br/><br/>Professor Hanna Roos is the CEO and Founder of Aavalynx, and a globally acclaimed 'rockstar' lawyer and one of the highest-ranked Global Thought Leaders in international arbitration (Who's Who Legal 2026). She has been featured in Forbes, Vogue, Elle and Harper’s Bazaar and has given a TEDx talk on how AI can bring humanity back into law. Hanna has been CEO since founding Aavalynx in 2023. The firm’s enterprise contract value exceeds £1.4m/year.

Hanna Roos
Aavalynx

Professor Hanna Roos is the CEO and Founder of Aavalynx, and a globally acclaimed 'rockstar' lawyer and one of the highest-ranked Global Thought Leaders in international arbitration (Who's Who Legal 2026). She has been featured in Forbes, Vogue, Elle and Harper’s Bazaar and has given a TEDx talk on how AI can bring humanity back into law. Hanna has been CEO since founding Aavalynx in 2023. The firm’s enterprise contract value exceeds £1.4m/year.

<b>Helen Thiel<br/>Veran Performance</b><br/><br/>Helen Thiel founded Veran in 2012, drawing on 15 years in HR to help teams become confident, informed buyers of tech-enabled change. As CEO, she drives growth and a great culture, creating opportunities for the team to thrive. Her day-to-day spans all things from sorting out office soap to recruitment, leading client engagements, speaking at events, and shaping Veran’s M&A strategy. Outside work, she is mother to four sons and feeder of many of their mates, balancing a lively home life with the demands of work!

Helen Thiel
Veran Performance

Helen Thiel founded Veran in 2012, drawing on 15 years in HR to help teams become confident, informed buyers of tech-enabled change. As CEO, she drives growth and a great culture, creating opportunities for the team to thrive. Her day-to-day spans all things from sorting out office soap to recruitment, leading client engagements, speaking at events, and shaping Veran’s M&A strategy. Outside work, she is mother to four sons and feeder of many of their mates, balancing a lively home life with the demands of work!

$Lena Chauhan Rise IQ Lena Chauhan spent twenty years in financial markets risk, much of it in derivatives, where she learned that the people who get hurt are the ones who do not understand the mechanism. That principle defines her second career. She is the founder of Rise IQ, working as a fractional Director of AI Governance for UK SMEs, embedding practical oversight, policy and accountability in businesses that would otherwise navigate AI with no governance at all.$

Lena Chauhan
Rise IQ

Lena Chauhan spent twenty years in financial markets risk, much of it in derivatives, where she learned that the people who get hurt are the ones who do not understand the mechanism. That principle defines her second career. She is the founder of Rise IQ, working as a fractional Director of AI Governance for UK SMEs, embedding practical oversight, policy and accountability in businesses that would otherwise navigate AI with no governance at all.

<b>Rose Lord<br/>My Best Mood</b><br/><br/>Rose Lord is a highly experienced, tech-enabled project manager and founder, blending corporate innovation with entrepreneurial execution. With a background spanning app development within large organisations and independent product creation, she has built a reputation for delivering complex, user-focused digital solutions. Previously working in a consultancy capacity on award-nominated innovation projects, Rose made the strategic decision to step away and focus on building her own venture, her Best Mood.

Rose Lord
My Best Mood

Rose Lord is a highly experienced, tech-enabled project manager and founder, blending corporate innovation with entrepreneurial execution. With a background spanning app development within large organisations and independent product creation, she has built a reputation for delivering complex, user-focused digital solutions. Previously working in a consultancy capacity on award-nominated innovation projects, Rose made the strategic decision to step away and focus on building her own venture, her Best Mood.

<b>Sonu Bubna<br/>AskStatement.com</b><br/><br/>Sonu Bubna is the Founder and CEO of Statement. A qualified accountant, she began her career in corporate banking at Citibank before joining KPMG, where she advised businesses on complex financial and forensic matters. She later transitioned into technology entrepreneurship, founding and scaling multiple software businesses, including Shopper.com, before launching Statement. As CEO, Sonu leads the company's vision, product strategy, fundraising and commercial partnerships. As Founder and CEO, Sonu leads the company's vision, product strategy, fundraising and commercial growth.

Sonu Bubna
AskStatement.com

Sonu Bubna is the Founder and CEO of Statement. A qualified accountant, she began her career in corporate banking at Citibank before joining KPMG, where she advised businesses on complex financial and forensic matters. She later transitioned into technology entrepreneurship, founding and scaling multiple software businesses, including Shopper.com, before launching Statement. As CEO, Sonu leads the company's vision, product strategy, fundraising and commercial partnerships. As Founder and CEO, Sonu leads the company's vision, product strategy, fundraising and commercial growth.

<b>Vaishnavi Veer<br/>Financial Education Crew Ltd</b><br/><br/>Vaishnavi Veer is Founder and CEO of Financial Education Crew, an award-winning technology company operating across EdTech, Createch and FinTech. After moving from India to the UK for higher education without an established network, she identified an opportunity to transform financial education through behavioural science, creativity and technology. Vaishnavi has built a purpose-led venture focused on making financial learning more engaging and accessible, combining entrepreneurial resilience with a clear mission to create positive, scalable impact.

Vaishnavi Veer
Financial Education Crew Ltd

Vaishnavi Veer is Founder and CEO of Financial Education Crew, an award-winning technology company operating across EdTech, Createch and FinTech. After moving from India to the UK for higher education without an established network, she identified an opportunity to transform financial education through behavioural science, creativity and technology. Vaishnavi has built a purpose-led venture focused on making financial learning more engaging and accessible, combining entrepreneurial resilience with a clear mission to create positive, scalable impact.

Best Use of Tech in a Public Sector Project Award

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<b>Fatimah Bamisedun<br/>ANRE Solutions Ltd</b><br/><br/>Fatimah Bamisedun began her career with a BSc in Industrial Chemistry in Nigeria before moving into consulting, first in audit at KPMG Professional Services and then in strategy and transformation at KPMG Advisory Services, where she was promoted within eight months and received the KPMG Global Champion Award for inclusive leadership. She went on to lead corporate strategy across five subsidiaries at Publicis Groupe's Insights Redefini, and enterprise transformation for a multinational manufacturing group in Dubai.

Fatimah Bamisedun
ANRE Solutions Ltd

Fatimah Bamisedun began her career with a BSc in Industrial Chemistry in Nigeria before moving into consulting, first in audit at KPMG Professional Services and then in strategy and transformation at KPMG Advisory Services, where she was promoted within eight months and received the KPMG Global Champion Award for inclusive leadership. She went on to lead corporate strategy across five subsidiaries at Publicis Groupe's Insights Redefini, and enterprise transformation for a multinational manufacturing group in Dubai.

<b>Gelareh Holbrook<br/>North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA)</b><br/><br/>Dr Gelareh Holbrook is a Business Intelligence Developer at the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), where she has worked since 2023, delivering enterprise-scale data and analytics solutions that support the UK's energy transition. She designs and develops Power BI reporting platforms, data models, automation solutions and governance frameworks that improve decision-making, increase efficiency and make complex regulatory information accessible to both internal stakeholders and the public. Alongside her technical role, Gelareh is committed to developing the next generation of technology professionals.

Gelareh Holbrook
North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA)

Dr Gelareh Holbrook is a Business Intelligence Developer at the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), where she has worked since 2023, delivering enterprise-scale data and analytics solutions that support the UK's energy transition. She designs and develops Power BI reporting platforms, data models, automation solutions and governance frameworks that improve decision-making, increase efficiency and make complex regulatory information accessible to both internal stakeholders and the public. Alongside her technical role, Gelareh is committed to developing the next generation of technology professionals.

<b>Kavita Mutyala<br/>NTT DATA UKI</b><br/><br/>Kavi Mutyala is a Microsoft Dynamics 365 specialist at NTT DATA, and the single security-cleared Dynamics specialist supporting the organisation's UK public sector work. She holds full technical responsibility across five concurrent government and public body projects: three for the Insolvency Service, one for the Department for Education and one for the Crown Estate. She leads the technical delivery and provides oversight across all of them, covering delivery, platform stability and ongoing business-as-usual support.

Kavita Mutyala
NTT DATA UKI

Kavi Mutyala is a Microsoft Dynamics 365 specialist at NTT DATA, and the single security-cleared Dynamics specialist supporting the organisation's UK public sector work. She holds full technical responsibility across five concurrent government and public body projects: three for the Insolvency Service, one for the Department for Education and one for the Crown Estate. She leads the technical delivery and provides oversight across all of them, covering delivery, platform stability and ongoing business-as-usual support.

<b>Nic Bellingham<br/>Met Office</b><br/><br/>Nic Bellingham is Supercomputing Technology Lead at the Met Office, providing senior technical leadership for the Supercomputing Programme through implementation, testing, service readiness and go-live of the new integrated service. Nic joined the Met Office as a graduate in 1992 with a degree in Mathematics and Computing, building more than three decades of experience across software engineering, operational IT services, infrastructure, national capability technology and major programme delivery.

Nic Bellingham
Met Office

Nic Bellingham is Supercomputing Technology Lead at the Met Office, providing senior technical leadership for the Supercomputing Programme through implementation, testing, service readiness and go-live of the new integrated service. Nic joined the Met Office as a graduate in 1992 with a degree in Mathematics and Computing, building more than three decades of experience across software engineering, operational IT services, infrastructure, national capability technology and major programme delivery.

<b>Sheryll Ricketts<br/>Littlepay</b><br/><br/>Sheryll Ricketts joined Littlepay as a Commercial Project Manager in August 2020. She has been promoted five times in under six years, each time because the scope of her work had outgrown her title. She became Global Head of Solutions and Partnerships in April 2026, with responsibility for building the partner ecosystem and winning the complex high-value opportunities that define Littlepay's commercial trajectory. Since launch it has processed approximately 23 million journeys.

Sheryll Ricketts
Littlepay

Sheryll Ricketts joined Littlepay as a Commercial Project Manager in August 2020. She has been promoted five times in under six years, each time because the scope of her work had outgrown her title. She became Global Head of Solutions and Partnerships in April 2026, with responsibility for building the partner ecosystem and winning the complex high-value opportunities that define Littlepay's commercial trajectory. Since launch it has processed approximately 23 million journeys.

<b>Siti Fariya<br/>Centre for Sustainable Road Freight (CSRF) at Heriot-watt university</b><br/><br/>Dr Siti Fariya's path into transport technology began far from Scotland's freight corridors. She came to the UK from Indonesia to pursue a PhD at the University of Strathclyde in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, developing risk and productivity frameworks for industrial facilities that she validated on real-world sites in her home country. Her fascination has always been the same: using modelling to make complex, messy real-world systems safer and more efficient.

Siti Fariya
Centre for Sustainable Road Freight (CSRF) at Heriot-watt university

Dr Siti Fariya's path into transport technology began far from Scotland's freight corridors. She came to the UK from Indonesia to pursue a PhD at the University of Strathclyde in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, developing risk and productivity frameworks for industrial facilities that she validated on real-world sites in her home country. Her fascination has always been the same: using modelling to make complex, messy real-world systems safer and more efficient.

<b>Tove Gant<br/>Sense-IT</b><br/><br/>Tové de Chazal Gant is Chief Operating Officer of Sense-IT Limited (Parent Sense), the preventative early-life health technology company. As COO she leads operational delivery and, critically, the enterprise and public-sector partnerships that carry Parent Sense to families at scale - managing relationships with medical insurers and telcos including Momentum Health, Discovery Health and Vodacom. She serves as a Jersey director and acts as strategic counterweight to the CEO on major commercial and structural decisions.

Tove Gant
Sense-IT

Tové de Chazal Gant is Chief Operating Officer of Sense-IT Limited (Parent Sense), the preventative early-life health technology company. As COO she leads operational delivery and, critically, the enterprise and public-sector partnerships that carry Parent Sense to families at scale - managing relationships with medical insurers and telcos including Momentum Health, Discovery Health and Vodacom. She serves as a Jersey director and acts as strategic counterweight to the CEO on major commercial and structural decisions.

AI Champion of the Year

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<b>Anthonette Adanyin<br/>Ofqual</b><br/><br/>Anthonette Adanyin is a Lead Data Scientist with over a decade of experience across regulation, software as a service, the Internet of Things, telecoms, and banking. She leads initiatives across predictive modelling, natural language processing, agentic AI, and data infrastructure, with a growing focus on responsible AI. A third paper, on bias detection in international diplomatic texts, introduced a transformer-based framework achieving 78.2 percent accuracy across 15,847 multilingual documents spanning 14 years.

Anthonette Adanyin
Ofqual

Anthonette Adanyin is a Lead Data Scientist with over a decade of experience across regulation, software as a service, the Internet of Things, telecoms, and banking. She leads initiatives across predictive modelling, natural language processing, agentic AI, and data infrastructure, with a growing focus on responsible AI. A third paper, on bias detection in international diplomatic texts, introduced a transformer-based framework achieving 78.2 percent accuracy across 15,847 multilingual documents spanning 14 years.

<b>Dionne Gordon<br/>Correla Ltd</b><br/><br/>Dionne Gordon is Head of Research & Market Insights at Correla. Returning from maternity leave in January 2026, she began exploring how AI could automate research workflows. From a non-technical background, her curiosity led to hands-on experimentation, learning to code with AI, and ultimately designing, building and deploying an AI-powered market intelligence platform, launched to colleagues in May 2026.The self-service platform reduced processes from around 30 hours a month to approximately one hour, delivering over £100,000 a year in operational efficiencies. It surfaces thousands of intelligence items and is used by colleagues across the business to inform strategic decisions.

Dionne Gordon
Correla Ltd

Dionne Gordon is Head of Research & Market Insights at Correla. Returning from maternity leave in January 2026, she began exploring how AI could automate research workflows. From a non-technical background, her curiosity led to hands-on experimentation, learning to code with AI, and ultimately designing, building and deploying an AI-powered market intelligence platform, launched to colleagues in May 2026.The self-service platform reduced processes from around 30 hours a month to approximately one hour, delivering over £100,000 a year in operational efficiencies. It surfaces thousands of intelligence items and is used by colleagues across the business to inform strategic decisions.

<b>Ene Anyogo<br/>Product of Agency</b><br/><br/>Ene Anyogo is a product leader, founder and educator working at the intersection of AI, payments and financial inclusion. Across more than a decade in financial services, she has led AI products used by millions, including Tamada, a conversational-banking assistant serving over 10 million account holders, and Ivy, a fraud-detection platform protecting more than 5.5 million users. She also mentors women in product and data, combining technical expertise with a strong commitment to inclusion.

Ene Anyogo
Product of Agency

Ene Anyogo is a product leader, founder and educator working at the intersection of AI, payments and financial inclusion. Across more than a decade in financial services, she has led AI products used by millions, including Tamada, a conversational-banking assistant serving over 10 million account holders, and Ivy, a fraud-detection platform protecting more than 5.5 million users. She also mentors women in product and data, combining technical expertise with a strong commitment to inclusion.

<b>Isabella Grandi<br/>NTT DATA Inc UKI</b><br/><br/>Isabella Grandi is a Director at NTT DATA Inc UK&I, specialising in Data and AI Strategy, Governance and Ethics. She has more than 15 years of international experience helping organisations unlock the value of data and build responsible AI capabilities, across consulting, financial services, insurance, cybersecurity and technology. Her work sits where AI adoption meets regulation. She holds an International MBA from IE Business School and Tufts University, and has been published on AI governance and AI ethics in the technology press.

Isabella Grandi
NTT DATA Inc UKI

Isabella Grandi is a Director at NTT DATA Inc UK&I, specialising in Data and AI Strategy, Governance and Ethics. She has more than 15 years of international experience helping organisations unlock the value of data and build responsible AI capabilities, across consulting, financial services, insurance, cybersecurity and technology. Her work sits where AI adoption meets regulation. She holds an International MBA from IE Business School and Tufts University, and has been published on AI governance and AI ethics in the technology press.

<b>Kateryna Korotieieva<br/>GlobalLogic</b><br/><br/>Kateryna Korotieieva is an AI Product Leader with 20 years in technology and 15 years in product management, spanning enterprise AI, SAP S/4HANA, regulated HealthTech, and financial technology across US, EMEA, and APAC markets. She currently serves as AI Product Team Lead within the Hitachi AI Centre of Excellence at GlobalLogic (Hitachi Group), a role she has held since July 2025. She holds certifications in AI Product Management and Product Leadership.

Kateryna Korotieieva
GlobalLogic

Kateryna Korotieieva is an AI Product Leader with 20 years in technology and 15 years in product management, spanning enterprise AI, SAP S/4HANA, regulated HealthTech, and financial technology across US, EMEA, and APAC markets. She currently serves as AI Product Team Lead within the Hitachi AI Centre of Excellence at GlobalLogic (Hitachi Group), a role she has held since July 2025. She holds certifications in AI Product Management and Product Leadership.

<b>Katie Milne<br/>IBM</b><br/><br/>Katie is a leading AI Strategy SME able to seamlessly bridge the gap between theory and practical implementation, translating AI strategy into genuine business value realised across large-scale transformation programmes. Since joining IBM Consulting in 2019 as the UK's first Enterprise Strategy graduate, Katie has rapidly ascended through the business and established herself as the go-to lead for innovative strategic AI. Notably, this has included driving transformative AI programmes across highly regulated sectors, including Financial Services and the Public Sector.

Katie Milne
IBM

Katie is a leading AI Strategy SME able to seamlessly bridge the gap between theory and practical implementation, translating AI strategy into genuine business value realised across large-scale transformation programmes. Since joining IBM Consulting in 2019 as the UK's first Enterprise Strategy graduate, Katie has rapidly ascended through the business and established herself as the go-to lead for innovative strategic AI. Notably, this has included driving transformative AI programmes across highly regulated sectors, including Financial Services and the Public Sector.

<b>Kirstine Dale<br/>Met Office</b><br/><br/>Professor Kirstine Dale is the Met Office's Chief AI Officer (CAIO), leading one of the most significant transformations in the organisation's 170-year history. She is responsible for accelerating the adoption of Artificial Intelligence across the Met Office, from corporate services to weather forecasting and climate modelling, ensuring AI is deployed responsibly, ethically and in ways that deliver tangible public benefit. She leads major initiatives including the AI4Everyone programme, helping to build confidence, skills and responsible AI adoption across the workforce.

Kirstine Dale
Met Office

Professor Kirstine Dale is the Met Office's Chief AI Officer (CAIO), leading one of the most significant transformations in the organisation's 170-year history. She is responsible for accelerating the adoption of Artificial Intelligence across the Met Office, from corporate services to weather forecasting and climate modelling, ensuring AI is deployed responsibly, ethically and in ways that deliver tangible public benefit. She leads major initiatives including the AI4Everyone programme, helping to build confidence, skills and responsible AI adoption across the workforce.

<b>Laura Scavino<br/>NTT DATA Inc UK & I</b><br/><br/>Laura Scavino is AI Director at NTT DATA Inc UK&I, leading AI Solutions and Go-to-Market strategy across multiple industries with a focus on Agentic AI and Generative AI. She is part of the Global AI Go-to-Market team, around 50 specialists who help customers define their AI strategy and deliver against it. Within that team she is responsible for activating NTT DATA's AI-native solutions portfolio, supporting the growth of a business worth more than $30 million.

Laura Scavino
NTT DATA Inc UK & I

Laura Scavino is AI Director at NTT DATA Inc UK&I, leading AI Solutions and Go-to-Market strategy across multiple industries with a focus on Agentic AI and Generative AI. She is part of the Global AI Go-to-Market team, around 50 specialists who help customers define their AI strategy and deliver against it. Within that team she is responsible for activating NTT DATA's AI-native solutions portfolio, supporting the growth of a business worth more than $30 million.

<b>Lisa Turner<br/>CETfreedom</b><br/><br/>Lisa is an award-winning coach, engineer, AI tool architect, author, and the founder of CETfreedom. Leading all strategic direction, product development, and business innovation, her role spans architecting and building custom AI tools, directing the company’s positioning at the intersection of AI, developing methodology, and managing a team of 5 to implement AI-augmented operations. As a teen, she was held for five years through coercive control alone — patterns no one could detect.

Lisa Turner
CETfreedom

Lisa is an award-winning coach, engineer, AI tool architect, author, and the founder of CETfreedom. Leading all strategic direction, product development, and business innovation, her role spans architecting and building custom AI tools, directing the company’s positioning at the intersection of AI, developing methodology, and managing a team of 5 to implement AI-augmented operations. As a teen, she was held for five years through coercive control alone — patterns no one could detect.

<b>Mini Biswas<br/>Cisilion</b><br/><br/>Mini Biswas is an AI Specialist at Cisilion, where she has been leading AI adoption and advocacy since 2024. As the organisation’s first dedicated AI role, Mini has helped shape how AI is introduced, governed and adopted—focusing on real‑world value, trust and people, not hype. With over 16 years’ experience in technology, Mini brings a rare combination of technical credibility and human insight. Mini is also a passionate advocate for responsible, ethical and inclusive AI.

Mini Biswas
Cisilion

Mini Biswas is an AI Specialist at Cisilion, where she has been leading AI adoption and advocacy since 2024. As the organisation’s first dedicated AI role, Mini has helped shape how AI is introduced, governed and adopted—focusing on real‑world value, trust and people, not hype. With over 16 years’ experience in technology, Mini brings a rare combination of technical credibility and human insight. Mini is also a passionate advocate for responsible, ethical and inclusive AI.

<b>Rohini Gupta<br/>FinregE</b><br/><br/>Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FinregE - The End-to-End Regulatory Operating System. As a leading RegTech company our AI-powered technology equips highly regulated institutions with the infrastructure to navigate complex, rapidly evolving regulatory landscapes with clarity, traceability, speed and control. More than 20 years’ of driving impact across financial regulation, central banking, investment banking and technology, during periods of structural market reform and heightened scrutiny. She doesn't just talk about diversity; she lives it by running a high-growth AI company.

Rohini Gupta
FinregE

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FinregE - The End-to-End Regulatory Operating System. As a leading RegTech company our AI-powered technology equips highly regulated institutions with the infrastructure to navigate complex, rapidly evolving regulatory landscapes with clarity, traceability, speed and control. More than 20 years’ of driving impact across financial regulation, central banking, investment banking and technology, during periods of structural market reform and heightened scrutiny. She doesn't just talk about diversity; she lives it by running a high-growth AI company.

<b>Tamanna Haque<br/>Jaguar Land Rover</b><br/><br/>Tamanna’s journey with Jaguar began as a nine-year-old fan, became a customer at 22, and came full circle when she joined Jaguar Land Rover at 24. Today, after six incredible years, she’m proud to call JLR her professional home and her calling. She started as one of the original members of the then all-new Vehicle Connected Data Science team and now serve as a Lead Data Scientist within Product Engineering.

Tamanna Haque
Jaguar Land Rover

Tamanna’s journey with Jaguar began as a nine-year-old fan, became a customer at 22, and came full circle when she joined Jaguar Land Rover at 24. Today, after six incredible years, she’m proud to call JLR her professional home and her calling. She started as one of the original members of the then all-new Vehicle Connected Data Science team and now serve as a Lead Data Scientist within Product Engineering.

Digital Transformation Champion of the Year

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<b>Disha Mukherjee<br/>Ford Credit Europe</b><br/><br/>Disha Mukherjee is Lead Data Engineer at Ford Credit, where she has led the enterprise analytics platform modernisation on Google Cloud since December 2024. She co-created a £1M+ infrastructure roadmap with executive stakeholders, leads a team of four engineers across a hybrid onshore/offshore model, and owns data governance for a regulated financial environment. Her nine-year career spans PayU, bigspark, and Just Eat Takeaway, where she built the Security Data Insights platform.

Disha Mukherjee
Ford Credit Europe

Disha Mukherjee is Lead Data Engineer at Ford Credit, where she has led the enterprise analytics platform modernisation on Google Cloud since December 2024. She co-created a £1M+ infrastructure roadmap with executive stakeholders, leads a team of four engineers across a hybrid onshore/offshore model, and owns data governance for a regulated financial environment. Her nine-year career spans PayU, bigspark, and Just Eat Takeaway, where she built the Security Data Insights platform.

<b>Jennifer Hirst<br/>NTT DATA Inc UK &I</b><br/><br/>Jennifer Hirst is a Delivery Director at NTT DATA, where she has spent the last six years leading large-scale technology transformation. She has more than two decades delivering complex business and digital change programmes across healthcare, government, insurance, retail banking and automotive. Her portfolio is unusually broad. Her expertise is target operating model design, service transition, programme governance and delivery assurance. She holds a Master's degree with distinction in Service Management and is ITIL V4 Expert certified.

Jennifer Hirst
NTT DATA Inc UK &I

Jennifer Hirst is a Delivery Director at NTT DATA, where she has spent the last six years leading large-scale technology transformation. She has more than two decades delivering complex business and digital change programmes across healthcare, government, insurance, retail banking and automotive. Her portfolio is unusually broad. Her expertise is target operating model design, service transition, programme governance and delivery assurance. She holds a Master's degree with distinction in Service Management and is ITIL V4 Expert certified.

<b>Kat Cooke<br/>SCC</b><br/><br/>Kat is Head of Internal Communications at SCC, Europe's largest privately-owned IT solutions and services provider, where she has led the transformation of the organisation's internal communications and digital employee experience for the past three years. With more than a decade of experience spanning journalism, communications and organisational change, she specialises in helping people understand, engage with and adopt business and technology transformation. This enhanced accessibility, encouraged greater participation and strengthened two-way engagement between colleagues and the executive team.

Kat Cooke
SCC

Kat is Head of Internal Communications at SCC, Europe's largest privately-owned IT solutions and services provider, where she has led the transformation of the organisation's internal communications and digital employee experience for the past three years. With more than a decade of experience spanning journalism, communications and organisational change, she specialises in helping people understand, engage with and adopt business and technology transformation. This enhanced accessibility, encouraged greater participation and strengthened two-way engagement between colleagues and the executive team.

<b>Kate Whyles<br/>Nottingham College</b><br/><br/>Kate Whyles has 17 years of experience in educational technology, using digital tools and inclusive teaching practices to improve learning and widen participation. She leads initiatives including Minecraft Education and coding integration to strengthen digital literacy and game-based learning in further education. A UK Minecraft Education Ambassador for four years, Kate is committed to removing barriers that prevent disadvantaged learners from accessing computing opportunities and to creating more inclusive routes into technology.

Kate Whyles
Nottingham College

Kate Whyles has 17 years of experience in educational technology, using digital tools and inclusive teaching practices to improve learning and widen participation. She leads initiatives including Minecraft Education and coding integration to strengthen digital literacy and game-based learning in further education. A UK Minecraft Education Ambassador for four years, Kate is committed to removing barriers that prevent disadvantaged learners from accessing computing opportunities and to creating more inclusive routes into technology.

<b>Kay Church<br/>Met Office</b><br/><br/>Kay Church is a technology and business transformation leader with more than 25 years of experience delivering large-scale digital change across government and industry. Her career has spanned consulting, software engineering, business transformation, product strategy and executive leadership roles with organisations including PwC, the Metropolitan Police, Clarks and the Met Office. Since joining the Met Office in 2015, Kay has held a number of senior leadership positions across technology, strategy and transformation.

Kay Church
Met Office

Kay Church is a technology and business transformation leader with more than 25 years of experience delivering large-scale digital change across government and industry. Her career has spanned consulting, software engineering, business transformation, product strategy and executive leadership roles with organisations including PwC, the Metropolitan Police, Clarks and the Met Office. Since joining the Met Office in 2015, Kay has held a number of senior leadership positions across technology, strategy and transformation.

<b>Lucy Fish<br/>The AA</b><br/><br/>Lucy Fish is Head of Product at The AA, where she leads the product strategy and delivery for the organisation's digital breakdown reporting capability. Having joined The AA three years ago following a successful product leadership career in the rail industry, Lucy has become a driving force behind one of the company's most significant customer-facing digital transformation programmes. Under her leadership, the team has introduced innovative new digital capabilities, accelerated customer adoption and significantly reduced operational costs, while improving customer satisfaction.

Lucy Fish
The AA

Lucy Fish is Head of Product at The AA, where she leads the product strategy and delivery for the organisation's digital breakdown reporting capability. Having joined The AA three years ago following a successful product leadership career in the rail industry, Lucy has become a driving force behind one of the company's most significant customer-facing digital transformation programmes. Under her leadership, the team has introduced innovative new digital capabilities, accelerated customer adoption and significantly reduced operational costs, while improving customer satisfaction.

<b>Mariaje (Maria) Crespo<br/>NTT DATA Inc UKI</b><br/><br/>Mariaje Crespo is a Data and Analytics leader at NTT DATA, responsible for strategic data transformation programmes covering migration, modernisation and AI enablement. She leads cross-functional and distributed teams across multiple locations, manages senior client relationships, owns delivery governance, and holds the line between technology outcomes and business value. Her career has been built where business, technology and operations have to come together, which is where transformation programmes usually come apart.

Mariaje (Maria) Crespo
NTT DATA Inc UKI

Mariaje Crespo is a Data and Analytics leader at NTT DATA, responsible for strategic data transformation programmes covering migration, modernisation and AI enablement. She leads cross-functional and distributed teams across multiple locations, manages senior client relationships, owns delivery governance, and holds the line between technology outcomes and business value. Her career has been built where business, technology and operations have to come together, which is where transformation programmes usually come apart.

<b>Rebecca Llewellyn<br/>NHS England</b><br/><br/>Rebecca Llewellyn is the Director of Data Management and Transformation and the Federated Data Platform (FDP) Programme Director at NHS England, where she leads some of the NHS's most ambitious national digital transformation programmes. With more than 25 years' experience in data and technology, Rebecca began her career as a systems developer and has built a career leading some of the NHS’s most significant transformation programmes improving services for patients, staff and the wider system.

Rebecca Llewellyn
NHS England

Rebecca Llewellyn is the Director of Data Management and Transformation and the Federated Data Platform (FDP) Programme Director at NHS England, where she leads some of the NHS's most ambitious national digital transformation programmes. With more than 25 years' experience in data and technology, Rebecca began her career as a systems developer and has built a career leading some of the NHS’s most significant transformation programmes improving services for patients, staff and the wider system.

<b>Rhiannon Lawson<br/>Newham Council</b><br/><br/>Rhiannon Lawson is a strategic project and service design leader with a career focused on digital transformation, public sector change and multidisciplinary delivery. Rhiannon Lawson has worked across central and local government leading complex programmes that improve services for residents and strengthen organisational capability. Rhiannon’s work centres on user centred design, operational clarity and building collaborative teams that deliver meaningful outcomes. She joined the London Borough of Newham six months ago as service design and digital experience lead.

Rhiannon Lawson
Newham Council

Rhiannon Lawson is a strategic project and service design leader with a career focused on digital transformation, public sector change and multidisciplinary delivery. Rhiannon Lawson has worked across central and local government leading complex programmes that improve services for residents and strengthen organisational capability. Rhiannon’s work centres on user centred design, operational clarity and building collaborative teams that deliver meaningful outcomes. She joined the London Borough of Newham six months ago as service design and digital experience lead.

<b>Shabnam Raja<br/>COGNIZANT WORLDWIDE LIMITED</b><br/><br/>As a Client Enterprise Director at Cognizant, she has spent more than 20 years leading technology transformation programmes across Life Sciences and Consumer Health organisations. One of her most significant achievements has been leading enterprise-wide AI and Data transformation initiatives for global healthcare organisations, helping drive adoption of emerging technologies at scale. In 2024, she helped lead an AI and Data Literacy programme reaching approximately 28,000 employees globally, enabling teams to build the skills needed to embrace AI responsibly and effectively.

Shabnam Raja
COGNIZANT WORLDWIDE LIMITED

As a Client Enterprise Director at Cognizant, she has spent more than 20 years leading technology transformation programmes across Life Sciences and Consumer Health organisations. One of her most significant achievements has been leading enterprise-wide AI and Data transformation initiatives for global healthcare organisations, helping drive adoption of emerging technologies at scale. In 2024, she helped lead an AI and Data Literacy programme reaching approximately 28,000 employees globally, enabling teams to build the skills needed to embrace AI responsibly and effectively.

<b>Svetlana Tsvetkova<br/>Drax Group</b><br/><br/>Svetlana Tsvetkova is an Enterprise Architect at Drax Group, where she shapes how the UK's largest renewable power generator aligns its technology, data and AI investments with business strategy. Her remit spans enterprise capability modelling, application portfolio management, architecture governance, data platform strategy and the responsible adoption of AI. Her career has been built in complex, safety-critical organisations: before Drax she led systems design at HS2, Europe's largest infrastructure programme.

Svetlana Tsvetkova
Drax Group

Svetlana Tsvetkova is an Enterprise Architect at Drax Group, where she shapes how the UK's largest renewable power generator aligns its technology, data and AI investments with business strategy. Her remit spans enterprise capability modelling, application portfolio management, architecture governance, data platform strategy and the responsible adoption of AI. Her career has been built in complex, safety-critical organisations: before Drax she led systems design at HS2, Europe's largest infrastructure programme.

<b>Zaitoon Bukhari<br/>Achievement Through Collaboration Trust</b><br/><br/>Zaitoon is a highly accomplished educator and technology specialist, currently serving as the Director of Digital Learning at Achievement through Collaboration (AtC) Trust. With over 18 years of experience in the classroom out of which 6 years dedicated to EdTech, Zaitoon began her career as a qualified Teacher of Science. Her professional journey evolved from classroom teaching to leading digital transformation. She is a recognised expert in the field, holding certifications as a Google Certified Trainer, Innovator, and Coach.

Zaitoon Bukhari
Achievement Through Collaboration Trust

Zaitoon is a highly accomplished educator and technology specialist, currently serving as the Director of Digital Learning at Achievement through Collaboration (AtC) Trust. With over 18 years of experience in the classroom out of which 6 years dedicated to EdTech, Zaitoon began her career as a qualified Teacher of Science. Her professional journey evolved from classroom teaching to leading digital transformation. She is a recognised expert in the field, holding certifications as a Google Certified Trainer, Innovator, and Coach.

Knowledge Exchange Professional of the Year

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<b>Chynna Pascual<br/>Aston University</b><br/><br/>Chynna Pascual worked running clinical trials at Imperial University until joining Aston University in late 2023. Originally employed to be a project manager that would help start the SPARK programme in the UK (Initially supporting Universities, NHS Trusts and early stage companies in the West Midlands) her role has rapidly grown becoming the West Midlands Lead for a wider programme supporting the entire Midlands. Chynna has led the startup, delivery and growth of the UK branch of Stanford's SPARK preclinical accelerator programme.

Chynna Pascual
Aston University

Chynna Pascual worked running clinical trials at Imperial University until joining Aston University in late 2023. Originally employed to be a project manager that would help start the SPARK programme in the UK (Initially supporting Universities, NHS Trusts and early stage companies in the West Midlands) her role has rapidly grown becoming the West Midlands Lead for a wider programme supporting the entire Midlands. Chynna has led the startup, delivery and growth of the UK branch of Stanford's SPARK preclinical accelerator programme.

<b>Jan Hughes<br/>AICPA CIMA</b><br/><br/>Jan Hughes is the Manager of IT Client Services, a role she has held since 6 March 2024. In this position, Jan is responsible for ensuring the consistent delivery of high‑quality, service‑centric IT outcomes across the organisation, working closely with senior stakeholders globally. Jan plays a key leadership role in stakeholder management and service governance, providing senior oversight and escalation for major incidents to minimise disruption and protect business operations.

Jan Hughes
AICPA CIMA

Jan Hughes is the Manager of IT Client Services, a role she has held since 6 March 2024. In this position, Jan is responsible for ensuring the consistent delivery of high‑quality, service‑centric IT outcomes across the organisation, working closely with senior stakeholders globally. Jan plays a key leadership role in stakeholder management and service governance, providing senior oversight and escalation for major incidents to minimise disruption and protect business operations.

<b>Karan Kaur Jutlla<br/>University of Wolverhampton</b><br/><br/>Dr Karan Jutlla is a Reader in Dementia Care and Inclusion at the University of Wolverhampton and the Head/Founder of the Centre for Applied and Inclusive Health Research, where she leads work on dementia and health inequalities. Her career path spans over two decades in dementia research, education, and training, beginning with early work on the experiences of South Asian carers in Wolverhampton and developing into extensive co-produced research with underserved communities.

Karan Kaur Jutlla
University of Wolverhampton

Dr Karan Jutlla is a Reader in Dementia Care and Inclusion at the University of Wolverhampton and the Head/Founder of the Centre for Applied and Inclusive Health Research, where she leads work on dementia and health inequalities. Her career path spans over two decades in dementia research, education, and training, beginning with early work on the experiences of South Asian carers in Wolverhampton and developing into extensive co-produced research with underserved communities.

Roya Rahimi
University of Wolverhampton

Professor Roya Rahimi is Professor of Marketing and Leisure Management at the University of Wolverhampton and an internationally recognised leader in knowledge exchange, artificial intelligence and digital transformation. With more than 20 years of experience, she has built an international reputation for translating academic research into practical solutions that create measurable impact for businesses and communities. She has secured competitive international funding, leads multidisciplinary research collaborations and works closely with industry, charities, government and international partners.

<b>Samridhi Anand<br/>Samridhi Anand</b><br/><br/>Samridhi Anand is a Product Marketing and Growth Strategist with a technology career spanning since 2017, specialising in B2B SaaS, AI, FinTech and Cybersecurity. Beginning her career in digital marketing, she developed expertise in translating complex technology solutions into customer-focused strategies that drive adoption, growth and business impact. Over the years, Samridhi has partnered with founders, product, engineering, sales and commercial teams to define product positioning, build go-to-market strategies and create scalable growth initiatives.

Samridhi Anand
Samridhi Anand

Samridhi Anand is a Product Marketing and Growth Strategist with a technology career spanning since 2017, specialising in B2B SaaS, AI, FinTech and Cybersecurity. Beginning her career in digital marketing, she developed expertise in translating complex technology solutions into customer-focused strategies that drive adoption, growth and business impact. Over the years, Samridhi has partnered with founders, product, engineering, sales and commercial teams to define product positioning, build go-to-market strategies and create scalable growth initiatives.

<b>Sharon Cox<br/>Birmingham City University</b><br/><br/>Professor Sharon Cox is a Professor of Information Systems at Birmingham City University, UK, and a strategic information systems consultant. She has held senior leadership roles in international manufacturers formulating and implementing strategic information systems strategies to deliver digital change, and has over 30 years experience in industry. Her research is founded in socio-technical systems, developing practical tool-kits for digital change. Professor Cox is currently leading a £1million portfolio implementing growth strategies in SMEs using a Digital Transformation Engine™.

Sharon Cox
Birmingham City University

Professor Sharon Cox is a Professor of Information Systems at Birmingham City University, UK, and a strategic information systems consultant. She has held senior leadership roles in international manufacturers formulating and implementing strategic information systems strategies to deliver digital change, and has over 30 years experience in industry. Her research is founded in socio-technical systems, developing practical tool-kits for digital change. Professor Cox is currently leading a £1million portfolio implementing growth strategies in SMEs using a Digital Transformation Engine™.

Inclusive Tech Champion Award

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<b>Amandip Jheeta<br/>NTT DATA Inc UK&I</b><br/><br/>Amandip Kaur Jheeta is a Senior Director at NTT DATA Inc UK&I, holding three concurrent leadership remits: Strategic Alliance Leader, Women in Alliance Lead and Public Sector Partner Lead. She has more than 20 years in technology, and a career built on commercial leadership alongside a sustained personal commitment to advancing women in the industry. She was the first female Alliance Leader in her organisation. Her alliance team now stands at a 50:50 gender split.

Amandip Jheeta
NTT DATA Inc UK&I

Amandip Kaur Jheeta is a Senior Director at NTT DATA Inc UK&I, holding three concurrent leadership remits: Strategic Alliance Leader, Women in Alliance Lead and Public Sector Partner Lead. She has more than 20 years in technology, and a career built on commercial leadership alongside a sustained personal commitment to advancing women in the industry. She was the first female Alliance Leader in her organisation. Her alliance team now stands at a 50:50 gender split.

<b>Azahara Corrales<br/>Azahara Corrales</b><br/><br/>Azahara Corrales has built her career across twenty-three roles spanning journalism, hospitality, and marketing, before finding her purpose at the intersection of AI and advocacy. Originally from Madrid and now based in Brighton, she began working at fifteen and spent two decades navigating economic crisis, career pivots, and moving countries, experiences that now form the backbone of her work on why diverse perspectives are essential to responsible AI.

Azahara Corrales
Azahara Corrales

Azahara Corrales has built her career across twenty-three roles spanning journalism, hospitality, and marketing, before finding her purpose at the intersection of AI and advocacy. Originally from Madrid and now based in Brighton, she began working at fifteen and spent two decades navigating economic crisis, career pivots, and moving countries, experiences that now form the backbone of her work on why diverse perspectives are essential to responsible AI.

<b>Claire Mironik<br/>WITBHAM Women in Tech UK/ Aston University</b><br/><br/>She began her technology journey by studying Computing at college before progressing to university to complete a degree in Computer Science. Claire’s career started at Wolverhampton City Council, where she worked across IT Helpdesk, 2nd Line Support, Project Support, and Network Support roles, building a strong technical foundation and developing a passion for service improvement. She later joined Rentokil Initial, where she helped improve processes, strengthen team knowledge, and further develop her leadership skills.

Claire Mironik
WITBHAM Women in Tech UK/ Aston University

She began her technology journey by studying Computing at college before progressing to university to complete a degree in Computer Science. Claire’s career started at Wolverhampton City Council, where she worked across IT Helpdesk, 2nd Line Support, Project Support, and Network Support roles, building a strong technical foundation and developing a passion for service improvement. She later joined Rentokil Initial, where she helped improve processes, strengthen team knowledge, and further develop her leadership skills.

Fatimah Bamisedun
ANRE Solutions Ltd

Fatimah Bamisedun began her career with a BSc in Industrial Chemistry in Nigeria before moving into consulting, first in audit at KPMG Professional Services and then in strategy and transformation at KPMG Advisory Services, where she was promoted within eight months and received the KPMG Global Champion Award for inclusive leadership. She went on to lead corporate strategy across five subsidiaries at Publicis Groupe's Insights Redefini, and enterprise transformation for a multinational manufacturing group in Dubai.

<b>Fehintoluwa Dada<br/>Independent Inclusive Technology Projects</b><br/><br/>Fehintoluwa Dada is an emerging technology and innovation professional focused on inclusive digital systems, accessibility and human-centred innovation across education, health and neurodiverse support environments. With a background in mathematics and biomathematics, her career path has evolved through analytical, research-informed and technology-focused work exploring how digital systems can improve accessibility, communication, coordination and support experiences for underserved communities. She currently leads Independent Inclusive Technology Projects, where she has been operating independently for approximately one year.

Fehintoluwa Dada
Independent Inclusive Technology Projects

Fehintoluwa Dada is an emerging technology and innovation professional focused on inclusive digital systems, accessibility and human-centred innovation across education, health and neurodiverse support environments. With a background in mathematics and biomathematics, her career path has evolved through analytical, research-informed and technology-focused work exploring how digital systems can improve accessibility, communication, coordination and support experiences for underserved communities. She currently leads Independent Inclusive Technology Projects, where she has been operating independently for approximately one year.

<b>Isabella Grandi<br/>NTT DATA UK&I</b><br/><br/>Isabella Grandi is a Director in Data Strategy and Governance at NTT DATA UK&I with more than 20 years of experience across consulting, financial services, insurance and data-led transformation. She leads Trusted Data offerings spanning Data and AI Governance, Data Quality, Responsible AI, risk frameworks and Master Data Management. Her work focuses on creating enterprise-wide governance models that help organisations adopt data and AI responsibly, safely and inclusively while delivering practical business value.

Isabella Grandi
NTT DATA UK&I

Isabella Grandi is a Director in Data Strategy and Governance at NTT DATA UK&I with more than 20 years of experience across consulting, financial services, insurance and data-led transformation. She leads Trusted Data offerings spanning Data and AI Governance, Data Quality, Responsible AI, risk frameworks and Master Data Management. Her work focuses on creating enterprise-wide governance models that help organisations adopt data and AI responsibly, safely and inclusively while delivering practical business value.

<b>Karen Fairhurst<br/>NTT DATA In UK&I</b><br/><br/>Karen Fairhurst is Executive Head of Delivery Management at NTT DATA, leading the Client Delivery Office. She has over 20 years in global IT services, built from a graduate scheme into executive leadership, specialising in service delivery, operational transformation, governance and executive leadership. Since April 2025 she has held profit and loss responsibility for the UK and Ireland delivery organisation, leading more than 250 UK and offshore colleagues.

Karen Fairhurst
NTT DATA In UK&I

Karen Fairhurst is Executive Head of Delivery Management at NTT DATA, leading the Client Delivery Office. She has over 20 years in global IT services, built from a graduate scheme into executive leadership, specialising in service delivery, operational transformation, governance and executive leadership. Since April 2025 she has held profit and loss responsibility for the UK and Ireland delivery organisation, leading more than 250 UK and offshore colleagues.

<b>Lauren Monks<br/>IN4 Group</b><br/><br/>Lauren Monks is Director of CyberFirst and MEGA at IN4 Group, where she oversees their strategic delivery and impact. Having spent over five years with the organisation, she plays a pivotal role in shaping innovative, inclusive pathways into digital and cyber careers. Lauren began her career working in a children’s home, supporting looked-after young people, before progressing into teaching. Her role spans the full lifecycle of programme delivery.

Lauren Monks
IN4 Group

Lauren Monks is Director of CyberFirst and MEGA at IN4 Group, where she oversees their strategic delivery and impact. Having spent over five years with the organisation, she plays a pivotal role in shaping innovative, inclusive pathways into digital and cyber careers. Lauren began her career working in a children’s home, supporting looked-after young people, before progressing into teaching. Her role spans the full lifecycle of programme delivery.

<b>Olivia Ferro<br/>SheMed</b><br/><br/>Olivia Ferro is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SheMed, one of Europes fastest-growing digital health companies. She co-founded the company in 2024 after spending years navigating her own experience with PCOS and delayed diagnosis, which highlighted significant gaps in womens healthcare. As CEO, Olivia leads the companys strategy, product vision, fundraising, and long-term growth while working closely with clinical and technology teams to develop personalised healthcare solutions for women.

Olivia Ferro
SheMed

Olivia Ferro is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SheMed, one of Europes fastest-growing digital health companies. She co-founded the company in 2024 after spending years navigating her own experience with PCOS and delayed diagnosis, which highlighted significant gaps in womens healthcare. As CEO, Olivia leads the companys strategy, product vision, fundraising, and long-term growth while working closely with clinical and technology teams to develop personalised healthcare solutions for women.

<b>Shavana Peynado<br/>AND Digital</b><br/><br/>Shavana Peynado is an Associate Software Developer at AND Digital, where she has worked for more than three years. Before moving into technology, she spent five years in international trade and retail banking at Lloyds Banking Group while completing a French and Spanish degree part-time with the Open University. Her nine-year study journey alongside full-time work reflects considerable determination, and her career change demonstrates the resilience, adaptability and commitment she brings to building an inclusive technology career.

Shavana Peynado
AND Digital

Shavana Peynado is an Associate Software Developer at AND Digital, where she has worked for more than three years. Before moving into technology, she spent five years in international trade and retail banking at Lloyds Banking Group while completing a French and Spanish degree part-time with the Open University. Her nine-year study journey alongside full-time work reflects considerable determination, and her career change demonstrates the resilience, adaptability and commitment she brings to building an inclusive technology career.

Mentor of the Year

Click the nominee logo to select your choice.

<b>Abigail Worrell<br/>NTT DATA UKI</b><br/><br/>Abigail Worrell is a Client Principal at NTT DATA, with over 30 years in enterprise IT services and client delivery across banking, insurance, public sector, utilities, manufacturing and retail. She is accountable for executive client relationships, service delivery, governance, growth and customer satisfaction across complex managed service environments, spanning Cloud, Security, Networking, Microsoft 365, End User Computing, Data Centre, Application and AI managed services. Across her career she has been accountable for contracts and services worth over 40 million dollars.

Abigail Worrell
NTT DATA UKI

Abigail Worrell is a Client Principal at NTT DATA, with over 30 years in enterprise IT services and client delivery across banking, insurance, public sector, utilities, manufacturing and retail. She is accountable for executive client relationships, service delivery, governance, growth and customer satisfaction across complex managed service environments, spanning Cloud, Security, Networking, Microsoft 365, End User Computing, Data Centre, Application and AI managed services. Across her career she has been accountable for contracts and services worth over 40 million dollars.

<b>Ishita Palit<br/>Vodafone</b><br/><br/>

Ishita Palit
Vodafone

<b>Jaskaran Soomal<br/>A Mindful Message Ltd</b><br/><br/>Jaskaran Soomal is Jaskaran Soomal, a specialist mental health mentor, coach, and founder/CEO of A Mindful Message (Director of A Mindful Message Ltd since May 2022). She specialise in culturally sensitive, multilingual mental health support, focused on reducing language and cultural barriers for Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. She also studied in India for two years. She founded A Mindful Message during the pandemic after research and personal experience highlighted access barriers, later formalising it as a company.

Jaskaran Soomal
A Mindful Message Ltd

Jaskaran Soomal is Jaskaran Soomal, a specialist mental health mentor, coach, and founder/CEO of A Mindful Message (Director of A Mindful Message Ltd since May 2022). She specialise in culturally sensitive, multilingual mental health support, focused on reducing language and cultural barriers for Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. She also studied in India for two years. She founded A Mindful Message during the pandemic after research and personal experience highlighted access barriers, later formalising it as a company.

<b>Jude Statham<br/>Exemplas</b><br/><br/>Jude Statham has built her career by turning innovation into commercial and societal impact. Before joining Exemplas as an Innovation Growth Specialist, she successfully developed and commercialised an internationally patented consumer product, taking it from concept to the global FMCG market. That entrepreneurial journey gave her first-hand experience of the realities every founder faces—from protecting intellectual property and bringing products to market, to securing commercial traction, scaling a business and expanding internationally.

Jude Statham
Exemplas

Jude Statham has built her career by turning innovation into commercial and societal impact. Before joining Exemplas as an Innovation Growth Specialist, she successfully developed and commercialised an internationally patented consumer product, taking it from concept to the global FMCG market. That entrepreneurial journey gave her first-hand experience of the realities every founder faces—from protecting intellectual property and bringing products to market, to securing commercial traction, scaling a business and expanding internationally.

<b>Natalia Gomez Fernandez<br/>Rakuten Advertising | The Metrics Lab</b><br/><br/>Natalia Gomez Fernandez is a Senior Analytics Consultant at Rakuten Advertising, translating complex business requirements into scalable reporting, analytics and self-service data solutions for global teams. She progressed from a newly created Analyst role into senior consultancy, taking on greater responsibility for stakeholder management, solution design, automation and global reporting frameworks. Alongside her technical progression, Natalia supports colleagues through knowledge sharing and guidance, using her own unconventional route into technology to encourage confidence and professional development in others.

Natalia Gomez Fernandez
Rakuten Advertising | The Metrics Lab

Natalia Gomez Fernandez is a Senior Analytics Consultant at Rakuten Advertising, translating complex business requirements into scalable reporting, analytics and self-service data solutions for global teams. She progressed from a newly created Analyst role into senior consultancy, taking on greater responsibility for stakeholder management, solution design, automation and global reporting frameworks. Alongside her technical progression, Natalia supports colleagues through knowledge sharing and guidance, using her own unconventional route into technology to encourage confidence and professional development in others.

<b>Vikki Szymanski<br/>Vikki Szymanski</b><br/><br/>Vikki is a consultant Transformation Leader with over 15 years of experience delivering complex business and IT change across financial services, professional services, and regulated sectors. Recognised for empathetic leadership, composure under pressure, and the ability to translate between technical, regulatory, and business audiences to secure stakeholder confidence and sponsorship. Delivers enterprise-wide transformation and strategic roadmaps controlling budgets up to £25m and teams of 65 FTE across onshore and offshore delivery models.

Vikki Szymanski
Vikki Szymanski

Vikki is a consultant Transformation Leader with over 15 years of experience delivering complex business and IT change across financial services, professional services, and regulated sectors. Recognised for empathetic leadership, composure under pressure, and the ability to translate between technical, regulatory, and business audiences to secure stakeholder confidence and sponsorship. Delivers enterprise-wide transformation and strategic roadmaps controlling budgets up to £25m and teams of 65 FTE across onshore and offshore delivery models.

Woman in Cyber Security Award

Click the nominee logo to select your choice.

<b>Afshan Sheikh<br/>Cyber Chain Alliance Ltd</b><br/><br/>Afshan is Cyber Practice Director at Cyber Chain Alliance and has over 17 years' experience delivering cyber security strategy, governance, risk management and transformation programmes across both public and private sectors. Since joining CCA in 2022, Afshan has been responsible for leading the organisation's cyber consulting practice, overseeing service delivery, customer success, people development and business growth. Her responsibilities include executive stakeholder management, cyber transformation leadership, service innovation, quality assurance, partnership development and mentoring the next generation of cyber professionals.

Afshan Sheikh
Cyber Chain Alliance Ltd

Afshan is Cyber Practice Director at Cyber Chain Alliance and has over 17 years' experience delivering cyber security strategy, governance, risk management and transformation programmes across both public and private sectors. Since joining CCA in 2022, Afshan has been responsible for leading the organisation's cyber consulting practice, overseeing service delivery, customer success, people development and business growth. Her responsibilities include executive stakeholder management, cyber transformation leadership, service innovation, quality assurance, partnership development and mentoring the next generation of cyber professionals.

<b>Anne Leslie<br/>IBM</b><br/><br/>Anne Leslie is Head of Cloud Risk EMEA at IBM, operating at the intersection of cybersecurity, cloud, and emerging technology risk. She focuses on embedding security directly into platforms and engineering lifecycles, addressing complex challenges such as sovereignty, hybrid threats, and resilience at scale. Her career path is deliberately non-linear. That experience continues to shape how she leads: with an emphasis on adaptability, continuous learning, and creating space for others to enter and succeed.

Anne Leslie
IBM

Anne Leslie is Head of Cloud Risk EMEA at IBM, operating at the intersection of cybersecurity, cloud, and emerging technology risk. She focuses on embedding security directly into platforms and engineering lifecycles, addressing complex challenges such as sovereignty, hybrid threats, and resilience at scale. Her career path is deliberately non-linear. That experience continues to shape how she leads: with an emphasis on adaptability, continuous learning, and creating space for others to enter and succeed.

<b>Ayesha Abdul Majeed<br/>BT Group</b><br/><br/>Ayesha Abdul Majeed is Applied Research Specialist in AI and Cyber Security at BT Group, where she conducts research into artificial intelligence for cyber threat detection, cybersecurity analytics, and network resilience. Since joining BT in 2025, she has contributed to innovative AI research cyber security projects, authored technical publications, and supported development of early-career researchers and authored multiple patents. Ayesha holds a PhD in Computer Science from Queen's University Belfast and has built international career spanning academia, research, and industry.

Ayesha Abdul Majeed
BT Group

Ayesha Abdul Majeed is Applied Research Specialist in AI and Cyber Security at BT Group, where she conducts research into artificial intelligence for cyber threat detection, cybersecurity analytics, and network resilience. Since joining BT in 2025, she has contributed to innovative AI research cyber security projects, authored technical publications, and supported development of early-career researchers and authored multiple patents. Ayesha holds a PhD in Computer Science from Queen's University Belfast and has built international career spanning academia, research, and industry.

<b>Behnaz Karimi<br/>OWASP AI Exchange</b><br/><br/>Behnaz Karimi is an AI security researcher, creator of the RAID-AI Framework and a leader within the OWASP AI Exchange. Her work focuses on AI red teaming, agentic AI security and improving practical approaches to securing emerging AI systems. Through research, framework development and community contribution, she helps advance understanding of AI-specific threats and defensive practices. Her work reflects a strong commitment to strengthening cyber resilience as organisations adopt increasingly complex artificial intelligence technologies.

Behnaz Karimi
OWASP AI Exchange

Behnaz Karimi is an AI security researcher, creator of the RAID-AI Framework and a leader within the OWASP AI Exchange. Her work focuses on AI red teaming, agentic AI security and improving practical approaches to securing emerging AI systems. Through research, framework development and community contribution, she helps advance understanding of AI-specific threats and defensive practices. Her work reflects a strong commitment to strengthening cyber resilience as organisations adopt increasingly complex artificial intelligence technologies.

<b>Faidah Oki<br/>BT</b><br/><br/>Faidah began her career as a degree apprentice at BT in 2022. As part of a four-year rotational programme, she has worked across several technical and customer-facing departments, including Cloud Solutions, Mobile Solutions, and CCaaS, developing a well-rounded understanding of the business and its technologies. In her current role, she supports the design and delivery of unified communications and contact centre solutions, contributing to customer-facing documentation such as Statements of Requirements, and building call flows for enterprise clients.

Faidah Oki
BT

Faidah began her career as a degree apprentice at BT in 2022. As part of a four-year rotational programme, she has worked across several technical and customer-facing departments, including Cloud Solutions, Mobile Solutions, and CCaaS, developing a well-rounded understanding of the business and its technologies. In her current role, she supports the design and delivery of unified communications and contact centre solutions, contributing to customer-facing documentation such as Statements of Requirements, and building call flows for enterprise clients.

Hannah Bailey-Neale

Hannah Bailey-Neale is Senior Marketing Manager, specialising in Cyber Security at Natilik a leading UK technology solutions partner specialising in networking, security, multi-cloud, collaboration, and customer engagement. She has held the role since April 2020 — over six years — and sits within a focused marketing team, contributing to Natilik's brand presence, campaign delivery, and channel engagement across its UK and international operations. Hannah's career has been shaped by a strong foundation in the technology sector.

<b>Kiranjit Kaur Shergill<br/>Barclays</b><br/><br/>Kiranjit is an Assistant Vice President (AVP) Vulnerability Manager at Barclays, responsible for identifying, assessing, and prioritising cyber vulnerabilities across critical infrastructure to protect customers, colleagues, and the organisation from evolving cyber threats. Promoted to this role in February, she works closely with Threat Intelligence, Cyber Operations business stakeholders to ensure vulnerabilities are risk-assessed and remediated effectively. Alongside her professional role, she is recognised for championing inclusion, developing future talent, and contributing to the wider cybersecurity community.

Kiranjit Kaur Shergill
Barclays

Kiranjit is an Assistant Vice President (AVP) Vulnerability Manager at Barclays, responsible for identifying, assessing, and prioritising cyber vulnerabilities across critical infrastructure to protect customers, colleagues, and the organisation from evolving cyber threats. Promoted to this role in February, she works closely with Threat Intelligence, Cyber Operations business stakeholders to ensure vulnerabilities are risk-assessed and remediated effectively. Alongside her professional role, she is recognised for championing inclusion, developing future talent, and contributing to the wider cybersecurity community.

<b>Louise Hinchey<br/>Computacenter</b><br/><br/>Louise Hinchey is an experienced technology and cybersecurity leader specialising in governance, risk and compliance, information security, supplier security and audit. As GRC Lead at Computacenter, she combines deep cyber-risk expertise with extensive experience in senior project management and product leadership, helping organisations translate complex security requirements into practical, effective business outcomes. Louise is recognised for her collaborative and people-focused approach to leadership, alongside her ability to manage risk, deliver change and build strong relationships across technical and business teams.

Louise Hinchey
Computacenter

Louise Hinchey is an experienced technology and cybersecurity leader specialising in governance, risk and compliance, information security, supplier security and audit. As GRC Lead at Computacenter, she combines deep cyber-risk expertise with extensive experience in senior project management and product leadership, helping organisations translate complex security requirements into practical, effective business outcomes. Louise is recognised for her collaborative and people-focused approach to leadership, alongside her ability to manage risk, deliver change and build strong relationships across technical and business teams.

<b>Sam Faulkner<br/>NTT Data Inc UK&I</b><br/><br/>Sam Faulkner is Head of Managed Security Services for NTT DATA UK and Ireland. She has spent her whole career in operations, across insurance and IT, and the last 11 years in cyber security. She owns managed security operations across a portfolio of client accounts: security governance, risk registers, access and vulnerability management, monitoring, incident response, and the quarterly strategy reviews that move each client's security maturity forward.

Sam Faulkner
NTT Data Inc UK&I

Sam Faulkner is Head of Managed Security Services for NTT DATA UK and Ireland. She has spent her whole career in operations, across insurance and IT, and the last 11 years in cyber security. She owns managed security operations across a portfolio of client accounts: security governance, risk registers, access and vulnerability management, monitoring, incident response, and the quarterly strategy reviews that move each client's security maturity forward.

<b>Sravya Betina<br/>Barclays</b><br/><br/>Sravya Betina holds a Master’s degree in Cyber Security and joined Barclays as a Cyber Security Graduate before completing her studies. She has gained experience across vulnerability management, remediation and CISO-led initiatives, and holds CISSP, CEH and CND certifications. Within 18 months she was promoted into blue team operations, reflecting strong performance and rapid professional growth. Her nomination also highlights work redesigning containment strategy and strengthening security incident processes within an established cyber function.

Sravya Betina
Barclays

Sravya Betina holds a Master’s degree in Cyber Security and joined Barclays as a Cyber Security Graduate before completing her studies. She has gained experience across vulnerability management, remediation and CISO-led initiatives, and holds CISSP, CEH and CND certifications. Within 18 months she was promoted into blue team operations, reflecting strong performance and rapid professional growth. Her nomination also highlights work redesigning containment strategy and strengthening security incident processes within an established cyber function.

<b>Tannu Jiwnani<br/>Microsoft</b><br/><br/>Tannu Jiwnani is a Principal Security Engineer at Microsoft specializing in artificial intelligence, cloud security, identity security, and cyber defense. Over the past decade, she has built a career leading large-scale cybersecurity initiatives that protect cloud platforms relied upon by governments, enterprises, and millions of users worldwide. In her current role, Tannu leads Microsoft's AI-assisted vulnerability hunting and mitigation program for Identity Security, driving the identification, investigation, and remediation of complex security vulnerabilities across Microsoft's cloud identity platform.

Tannu Jiwnani
Microsoft

Tannu Jiwnani is a Principal Security Engineer at Microsoft specializing in artificial intelligence, cloud security, identity security, and cyber defense. Over the past decade, she has built a career leading large-scale cybersecurity initiatives that protect cloud platforms relied upon by governments, enterprises, and millions of users worldwide. In her current role, Tannu leads Microsoft's AI-assisted vulnerability hunting and mitigation program for Identity Security, driving the identification, investigation, and remediation of complex security vulnerabilities across Microsoft's cloud identity platform.

<b>Victoria Coker<br/>Lateral Connect</b><br/><br/>Victoria Coker is a cybersecurity governance leader, mentor, and entrepreneur dedicated to strengthening organisational resilience while expanding access to cybersecurity careers. With a career focused on governance, risk and compliance, she has developed a reputation for translating complex cybersecurity risks into clear business insight, helping organisations make informed decisions about digital security and operational resilience. Her work sits at the intersection of cybersecurity leadership, governance strategy, and workforce development.

Victoria Coker
Lateral Connect

Victoria Coker is a cybersecurity governance leader, mentor, and entrepreneur dedicated to strengthening organisational resilience while expanding access to cybersecurity careers. With a career focused on governance, risk and compliance, she has developed a reputation for translating complex cybersecurity risks into clear business insight, helping organisations make informed decisions about digital security and operational resilience. Her work sits at the intersection of cybersecurity leadership, governance strategy, and workforce development.

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Winners will be announced at the Women In Tech Awards 2026 ceremony on the 3rd Oct 2026 at The BCEC, Holiday Inn, Birmingham, B5 4EW

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Shortlist 2026

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Start-Up Founder Award

Apprentice Award

Rising Star Award

Academic Award

Tech for Good Award

Innovator Award

Project Delivery Lead Award

Shining Star Award

Tech Professional (Non-Coding) Award

Tech Entrepreneur Award

Best Use of Tech in a Public Sector Project Award

AI Champion of the Year

Digital Transformation Champion of the Year

Knowledge Exchange Professional of the Year

Inclusive Tech Champion Award

Mentor of the Year

Ishita Palit
Vodafone

Woman in Cyber Security Award

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Women In Tech Awards #WITA26

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