Leeds Health and Social Care Industry Dinner 2025

Sonia Patel NHS England

Chief Informatics Officer, NHS England and NHS Improvement

As CTO for the NHS, Sonia’s key priorities focus on delivering a clear vision of what successful digital transformation looks like at a national level. She is dedicated to strengthening the digital foundations of frontline organisations, ensuring equitable access to cutting-edge technology, and supporting local boards in taking ownership of their digital transformation strategies. Central to her mission is building a digitally confident workforce, capable of harnessing technology and data to empower citizens in managing their health and well-being in new, meaningful ways.

With over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector, Sonia is a highly respected leader with a proven track record of driving digital innovation, even in the most challenging environments. Her leadership is shaped by a strong commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion, and she is an active advocate of the Shuri Network and Stemettes. Sonia also dedicates her time to mentoring emerging talent, demonstrating her passion for cultivating the next generation of digital leaders.

Sarah Norman

CEO, Barnsley Council

Chief Executive of Barnsley Council since 2019 and previously Chief Executive of Dudley Council between 2015 and 2019.
 
Responsible for ensuring that Barnsley Council continues to lead the way for digital innovation in the local government sector.  Barnsley is at the forefront of harnessing the next stage of technological change. Since September 2023, we have been leading the way with AI in the public sector via our innovative partnership with Microsoft. As one of the first adopters of Copilot, we are using this to transform our services across the organisation.
 
The development of the digital economy in Barnsley over the past eight years has already put Barnsley on the map for tech and digital ecosystem growth, while also bringing in investment and jobs. Developments include the SEAM Digital Campus, which includes DMC 01 and DMC  02, Barnsley College’s SciTech Digital Innovation Hub and the Furnace incubator program, which is currently in its third cohort of assisting early-stage tech companies. We also have an 'Every Child a Coder' programme in schools, to support the development of essential digital skills in AI and automation from an early age.
 
I am also the lead Chief Executive for Creative, Culture and Digital for South Yorkshire and alongside this, Barnsley Council hosts and delivers TECH SY, which is funded by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. We're supporting South Yorkshire's ecosystem to attract new tech investment and support those already in the region through an innovative ‘test and learn’ approach. TECH SY is strategically positioned to address the challenges facing the South Yorkshire tech sector and drive sustainable growth and innovation.
 
Passionate about making a difference in our places, I was delighted to see Barnsley receive the double win and be crowned Council of the Year at both the LGC and MJ Awards in 2023, to reflect in particular our success at transforming our town centre to make Barnsley the Place of Possibilities.