Winners 2025

Winner of the Academic Award 2025

Dr Ruchi Gupta

University of Birmingham

Dr Ruchi Gupta, Associate Professor in Analytical Science at the University of Birmingham, is a pioneering academic whose research on novel optical biosensors is transforming approaches to disease detection, particularly cancer diagnosis. With over £2.5M in research funding and 49 publications, her groundbreaking hydrogel sensing technology has gained worldwide recognition and a patent. Winner of the prestigious Joseph Black Award from the Royal Society of Chemistry, Ruchi also champions women in STEM, mentoring diverse talent and leading initiatives to inspire the next generation. Her impact extends globally, shaping both scientific innovation and academic excellence.

Winner of the Apprentice Award 2025

Ria Chutti

Microsoft

Ria Chutti, an Account Technology Strategist Apprentice at Microsoft, has made an extraordinary impact within just one year in the industry. Working with central government accounts, she has driven digital transformation through AI adoption, infrastructure modernisation, and Copilot enablement, supporting over $15m in pipeline. Nationally recognised, Ria spoke alongside the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Microsoft UK’s CEO during National Apprenticeship Week, championing apprentices

Winner of the Best Use of Tech in a Public/Private Sector Project Award 2025

Rachel Farrer

Coventry University

Rachel Farrer, Associate Director for Cultural and Community Engagement at Coventry University, is a leading advocate for inclusive innovation in immersive technology. She spearheads Inclusive Immersive, an Arts Council England-funded project making immersive arts more accessible to learning-disabled artists and audiences, in partnership with Vodafone, Hollywood

Winner of the Knowledge Exchange Professional of the Year Award 2025

Sharon Cox

Birmingham City University

Professor Sharon Cox, Professor of Information Systems at Birmingham City University, has dedicated her career to advancing knowledge exchange between academia and industry. With a background spanning Jaguar Cars, Britvic, and higher education, she has led more than £2m in knowledge transfer projects, driving business growth, innovation, and student employability. Her work has transformed companies’ digital strategies, delivered measurable efficiencies, and provided over 1,800 students with real-world industry experience. Sharon

Winner of the Innovator Award 2025

Amber Hill

Research Grid

Dr Amber Hill, founder and CEO of Research Grid, is redefining the future of clinical research through innovation in automation and AI. With a background in neuroscience and artificial intelligence, Amber created Research Grid to eliminate the costly administrative bottlenecks in clinical trials. Her platform has already delivered transformative results—digitising records, slashing trial costs, and saving tens of thousands of staff hours. Under her leadership, Research Grid has raised over $8m, achieved 500% revenue growth, and gained recognition from global leaders including Johnson & Johnson and the London Stock Exchange. Amber is a visionary entrepreneur dedicated to inclusive, patient-first innovation.

Winner of the Project Delivery Lead Award 2025

Alex Curtis

Arup

Alex Curtis, Senior Geospatial Consultant at Arup, is an outstanding project delivery leader who has shaped some of the UK’s most significant infrastructure projects. With over a decade of expertise in GIS, she has led digital delivery on projects such as the £250m–£500m A358 Taunton to Southfields Dualling Scheme, introducing innovative tools, apps, and data systems that transformed efficiency and stakeholder engagement. Her leadership has earned multiple awards, including the VINCI Award for Best Innovation in Delivery. Alex also plays a pivotal role in setting global GIS standards for Arup and champions women in technology through mentoring and advocacy.

Winner of the Rising Star Award 2025

Anushka Malhotra

TechWM

Anushka Malhotra, Head of Marketing at TechWM, is a rising star shaping the future of the UK tech ecosystem. She has led the strategic repositioning of TechWM from a local events body into a nationally recognised civic catalyst, building campaigns that amplify innovation, diversity, and inclusion. From driving Birmingham Tech Week—the UK’s largest regional tech festival with 120M+ global impressions—to creating the West Midlands Tech Review, Anushka has united stakeholders and elevated the region’s global profile. Recognised by Tech Nation as a Global Promising Talent, she is a values-driven leader championing visibility, equity, and opportunity across tech.

Winner of the Shining Star Award 2025

Lisa Matthews

KETS Quantum Security

Lisa Matthews, Managing Director and COO at KETS Quantum Security, is leading the charge in protecting the world’s digital future against the threat of quantum hacking. Under her leadership, KETS has transitioned from a research-driven start-up to a commercially successful deep-tech company—the first in the UK to deliver market-ready Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems. She has steered record sales, secured new funding, and positioned KETS at the forefront of global cybersecurity innovation. A strong advocate for diversity in deep tech, Lisa has also implemented progressive policies reducing KETS’ gender pay gap from 20% to less than 1%.

Winner of the Start-Up Founder Award 2025

Vaishnavi Veer

Financial Education Crew

Vaishnavi Veer is the founder of Financial Education Crew (FEC), a UK-based start-up transforming how young people learn about money. Inspired by her own research into financial literacy and debt, Vaishnavi left her full-time job in 2024 to build FEC—now a team of 11, nine of whom are women. Under her leadership, FEC secured £100,000 from Innovate UK, won the Midlands Start-Up Awards (Education & Training), and gained IP protection for its gamified financial education board game in 60+ countries. A first-generation graduate and international student, Vaishnavi is a mission-driven leader creating inclusive, impactful solutions for financial empowerment.

Winner of the Tech Entrepreneur Award 2025

Kerry Boland

The Growth Coaching Collective & Connected Campaigns®

Kerry Boland is a Manchester-born entrepreneur, international business mentor, and founder of The Growth Coaching Collective and Connected Campaigns®. With 19 years’ sales expertise and lived experience of overcoming adversity, Kerry has built a thriving tech-enabled business that empowers over 500 entrepreneurs to grow with ethical sales, scalable systems, and supportive networks. Her CRM and automation platform, Connected Campaigns®, now serves 80+ businesses and 200+ users, simplifying growth through accessible technology. A passionate advocate for women in tech and survivors of domestic abuse, Kerry is creating opportunities for women to thrive, proving that resilience and innovation can change lives.

Winner of the Tech for Good Award 2025

Claire Downes

Virtual Decisions

Claire Downes, CEO and co-founder of Virtual Decisions, is harnessing the power of virtual reality to tackle some of society’s most pressing challenges. From knife crime and exploitation to reoffending and mental health, her award-winning VR simulations create safe, immersive spaces for young people and vulnerable adults to explore the consequences of their choices. Under her leadership, Virtual Decisions has grown its client base threefold, delivered groundbreaking NHS projects, and expanded internationally to the US and Australia. A proud Brummie and champion of diversity, Claire demonstrates how technology can be a powerful force for empathy, education, and positive change.

Winner of the Tech Professional (Non-coding) Award 2025

Sammy White

Genio

Sammy White, Learning Projects Lead at Genio, is a former Maths teacher turned award-winning EdTech leader dedicated to improving learning through technology. Since joining Genio, she has spearheaded the company’s first efficacy studies, securing ESSA Tier 4 certification and ICEIE accreditation, proving its tools are grounded in learning science. Sammy also designed and launched The Confident Notetaker’s Masterclass—an interactive course boosting student confidence and skills

AI Champion of the Year 2025

Rohini Gupta

FinregE

Rohini Gupta, CEO and Co-Founder of FinregE, is redefining compliance through the power of AI, machine learning, and natural language processing. Under her leadership, FinregE has scaled from a two-person start-up to a thriving 30-strong team, achieving 100% year-on-year growth and securing a landmark £4m contract with the FCA. Recognised globally, FinregE’s AI platform delivers over 90% efficiency gains in compliance, transforming how financial institutions engage with regulation. A champion for diversity, Rohini has built a team where over 50% are women from international backgrounds, empowering them to thrive in tech. She is a true pioneer in responsible AI innovation.

Sustainability Champion of the Year 2025

Anu Mishra

NTT DATA

Anu Mishra, Project Assurance Manager at NTT DATA, embodies resilience, integrity, and sustainability in action. With 18 years in IT and 11 years at NTT DATA, Anu has built a reputation for excellence, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to growth. From self-teaching Jira and MS Project to earning PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner certification, she has consistently upskilled to deliver exceptional results. Recognised by clients, colleagues, and senior leaders, Anu champions sustainable career development—mentoring women, creating inclusive spaces, and proving that persistence and purpose drive lasting impact. Her journey from sales to project management is a testament to courage and transformation.

Digital Transformation Champion of the Year 2025

Cristina Sabau

The National Heart Clinic

Cristina Sabau, Chief Operating and Technology Officer at the National Heart Clinic, has transformed cardiac care in the UK through digital innovation. In under a year, she launched nationwide home-delivered diagnostic services, automated referrals to under one minute, digitised patient records, and introduced video consultations and 24/7 online booking—boosting accessibility, accuracy, and patient satisfaction. Her leadership has expanded the clinic’s reach, improved diagnostic precision through AI-enhanced monitoring, and built secure, scalable IT systems. Passionate about empowering women in healthcare tech, Cristina has championed female colleagues across operations and clinical roles. Her vision has positioned the clinic