Is your colleague one in a million?
Do you have a trailblazer in your team? Do you work with an innovator or a problem solver? Is there someone at work who’s an inspiration and deserves the (literal) spotlight?
The techUK President’s Award is your opportunity to nominate that colleague who is one in a million.
The President’s Award was launched in 2023 to recognise the significant contribution and positive difference techUK members are making through their work with technology. Every day, individuals in our tech community are effecting real change, whether that is helping small, distinct communities, or enabling large-scale interventions across countries and the planet.
Let us help you to celebrate these teammates.
Nominate your colleague in one of these four categories:
1. People Award
Someone who, through technology, has made a demonstrable impact on health, well-being, skills, safety, or diversity and inclusion – this can be for a small distinct group or a national or international intervention.
2. Society Award
Someone who, through technology, has helped society, from micro to macro, to live better, work better, or interact better. This would include initiatives around community cohesion, lifelong learning, travel, infrastructure, or helping vulnerable groups.
3. Economy Award
Someone who, through technology, has made real inroads into economic development. This could be through supporting the growth of UK SMEs, leading the innovation of UK tech, or accelerating financial planning or risk mitigation.
4. Planet Award
Someone who, through technology, has nurtured or protected biodiversity and the planet. This could include initiatives to support the climate agenda, projects that support reuse and recycling, or advancements in energy production.
How we'll reward the winners
- Winners will be announced on stage at the techUK Annual Dinner in front of 650+ leading tech companies and government stakeholders.
- Winners will receive a physical ‘trophy’, and a digital ‘badge’ that they can add to their email signatures and social accounts.
- Winners will be profiled and celebrated on the techUK website.
- We will post a blogs about each individual winner, project and company they work for on our website and on our social media accounts (80k followers) in the weeks following the Award.
- We will create a video about each winner, project and company they work for and post on our website and on our social media accounts (80k followers) in the weeks following the Award.
- We will profile the winners in the first techUK newsletter post the Award ceremony.
- We will profile the winners in relevant techUK Programme newsletters post the Award ceremony (e.g. our climate newsletter, policy newsletter, SME newsletter, skills newsletter etc.)
Plus:
- Event speaking opportunities: Winners will be invited to speak at a relevant techUK event.
- LinkedIn Newsletter: Winners will be profiled in the techUK LinkedIn Newsletter post the Award.
- Tech for Good: Winners will be interviewed for the techUK ‘Tech for Good’ series
- Webinar and blog: Winning companies will be invited to host a webinar and write a blog on a topic related to the project or work they were nominated for.
Who would you nominate?
We want to recognise the people within techUK member companies who are going above and beyond in their work to make a difference to the world around them.
Our judging criteria for nominations in our four categories, people, society, economy, and planet are deliberately broad, applicable to everything that we and our members focus on, regardless of product or service. So don't be afraid of nominating someone - let us be the judge.
We encourage nominations from each and every one of our member companies, so we can shine a spotlight on colleagues who are making the world a better place through technology. Through celebrating their achievements, we'll also showcase the projects and companies making a difference in the UK tech sector.
How to nominate
- All techUK members are invited to make a nomination.
- Only individuals from techUK member companies are eligible to nominate and be nominated.
- Members can nominate someone from their own company, or someone from another company (as long as that company is a member of techUK).
- Nominated individuals must still be working for a techUK member company in July 2024 (when the Award is presented)
- We can only accept one nomination from each company. If we receive multiple nominations from one company, we will defer to your company ‘Authorised Representative’ (the person who manages your techUK membership) to make the final decision on which nomination we accept. The President's Award is free to enter.
- Each nomination needs to document the case for the individual. This should focus on the impact this individual delivered. The nomination form is at the bottom of this page.
Nomination criteria
Each nomination needs to document the case for the individual. Below is what we are looking for:
We're looking for passionate people who:
- Have led a project that puts the well-being of people at the heart of its application.
- Have led an inclusion and diversity initiative.
- Have made an impact on vulnerable or underrepresented groups.
- Led the development of new tech that identifies and encourages representation from all cultures in a platform.
- Instigated online safety protocols for vulnerable audiences.
- Are developing new medical tech or processes for a particular illness or diagnostic.
- Have developed tech to allow people to be heard and acknowledged.
The nomination form is at the bottom of this page.
We're looking for passionate people who:
- Have led a project that enables community cohesion.
- Have led a project around education and learning for all ages and groups.
- Has developed new tech that makes life easier for vulnerable groups, underrepresented groups, or communities.
- Has developed tech or a platform that enables local groups to interact and grow.
- Has developed new tech/a service/a solution to support travel, mobility, or infrastructure.
The nomination form is at the bottom of this page.
We are looking for passionate people who:
- Have developed new tech or a process to support the growth of UK SMEs.
- Have led initiatives that mark the UK as a leader in a specific technology.
- Have developed new tech to enable people to have better control over their finances.
- Have led initiatives within their company that aid financial planning
- Have helped people, companies, councils or government to anticipate and mitigate risk, including cyber iniatives.
The nomination form is at the bottom of this page.
We are looking for passionate people who:
- Have led initiatives either within their company or for a wider pool of people to support the climate agenda.
- Have developed tech solutions to enable easier recycling, reuse etc.
- Have led a breakthrough in energy harnessing/production from renewable sources.
- Champion their companies work to reach net zero, with broader implications.
- Have led initiatives to support businesses and communities to reach net zero or shift to renewable sources.
- Have championed and raised awareness of the impact of climate-friendly solutions.
The nomination form is at the bottom of this page.
Judging panel
techUK has convened a stellar panel of industry leaders to judge the 2024 award:
Sheila Flavell CBE
Sheila Flavell CBE
Sheila is the President of techUK and Chief Operating Officer and Executive Board Director of FDM Group. She has over 30 years’ experience in both the public and private IT sectors. Sheila played an integral role in the Group’s flotation on AIM in 2005 and was a key instigator of the management buy-out of the Group in 2010 and its subsequent listing onto the main FTSE Market in June 2014 and more recent entry into the FTSE 250.
Sheila’s experience and knowledge of the sector has been crucial in driving the Group’s global expansion programme. She is fully committed to promoting all forms of diversity, especially women in Tech and spearheads FDM’s Women in IT campaign and FDM’s ‘Getting Back to Business‘ programme, aimed at providing opportunities for women looking to return to the workplace. She is frequently called to advise government committees on various issues. Most recently she gave evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee on bridging the digital skills gap.
She has won numerous awards over many years for her services to the Tech industry, including a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ by ‘Scottish Women In Tech’ and was most recently recognised in the 2020 New Year’s Honours List, by being awarded ‘Commander of the Order of The British Empire’ for services to ‘Gender Equality in IT and Graduate and Returners Employment.’ She is regularly listed as one of the Most Influential Woman in Tech in the UK, by Computer Weekly and has also been regularly named as one of the Most Influential Women in the North American Mid Market’ by CEO Connection.
Sheila is a keen helicopter pilot who also likes to plant trees, play golf/ski and cycle.
If you wish to contact a member of the Board, please do so via [email protected].
Dr Nicola Hodson
Dr Nicola Hodson
Nicola Hodson is a seasoned senior executive with expertise in delivering results and driving the strategic, commercial, and digital transformation of large, international complex technology and engineering companies. Her focus is on purpose-led, profitable growth, sustainability, and shareholder value.
Currently, Nicola is the Chief Executive of IBM in the UK and Ireland, responsible for business operations, driving revenue growth, client satisfaction and employee engagement in the UK and Ireland. Previously, Nicola was the Vice President of Change Management and Transformation for the Microsoft Customer and Partner Solutions (MCAPS) organization, directing innovative transformation and change management to empower Microsoft customers, partners, and employees. She was central in building new strategies and go-to-market methodologies as well as providing oversight to the change management landing and adoption of these priorities, and transformational initiatives. She played a key leadership role within the MCAPS organization and held several senior roles in Microsoft including UK COO.
Prior to joining Microsoft, Nicola held positions at Siemens, CSC, and Ernst & Young Management Consulting selling and delivering multiple transformation projects in the energy and utilities sector.
Nicola lends her extensive technology, digital transformation, sales, IT and ESG experience by participating on boards, both in the private and public sectors. She is currently a board member of techUK; a non-executive director at Drax Group Plc and at Beazley Plc.
She holds an MBA with a focus on management and operations, a PhD in Materials Engineering, and a BSc in Chemistry and Materials Science.
If you wish to contact a member of the Board, please do so via [email protected].
Jacqueline de Rojas CBE
Jacqueline de Rojas CBE
techUK Board Member and President Emeritus | Chair, Institute of Coding | Portfolio Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director, Business Mentor and Advocate for Inclusion.
"If we are to thrive in a digital future, we must ensure that all our voices heard when it comes to designing technology. If we do not, we will create a world that does not work for everybody."
And as we build this digital world, the need to stay safe is heightened as our dependency to live and work online increases. Competitive advantage will come from teams that look outwards not inwards and therefore businesses that build a culture of inclusion and maximise their security posture"
Voted the Most Influential Woman in IT 2015 and Included in World’s 100 most influential people in digital government 2019: Woman of the Year awarded by Women in IT Excellence 2019, 2020 Asian Tech Pioneer, named in 2021 Connected Britain’s Top 100 Influencers and Stroeous Award Winner: Global Positive Impact Leader of the Year 2021. Listen to her life and music choices on Desert Island Discs podcast March 2019.
Jacqueline was awarded CBE for Services to International Trade in Technology in the Queen's New Year Honours list 2018.
If you wish to contact a member of the Board, please do so via [email protected].
Kulveer Ranger, Lord Ranger of Northwood
Kulveer Ranger, Lord Ranger of Northwood
Lord Ranger of Northwood is a member of the House of Lords. He has been a leading figure in the development and communication of innovate, technology led services and has a unique record of working in politics, the public and private sectors over the last twenty-five years. He has been a trusted adviser to senior politicians, chief executives and boards and has led teams through major project delivery, large scale transformational programmes, reputation and communications crises, as well as driving corporate and public affairs campaigns.
Kulveer was part of the team that delivered the London Oystercard and spent four years working for the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, leading the transport and environment briefs and establishing the Digital London Office. His time at City Hall included preparing for the 2012 Olympics, making the case for Crossrail, leading on ground-breaking initiatives such as the cycle hire scheme and Tech City.
Most recently he was a senior executive at Atos, a global leader in digital transformation, and established and led the strategic corporate communications function across Northern Europe, APAC and India.
Kulveer has sat on various boards including Transport for London and Bristol 2015 European Green Capital City and is currently a member of the West Midlands Digital Advisory Board and the board of techUK. He is an international public speaker, a regular broadcaster for TV and radio and a passionate Tottenham Hotspur FC fan.
If you wish to contact a member of the Board, please do so via [email protected].
Aleyne Johnson
Aleyne Johnson
Aleyne Johnson is Samsung Electronic’s Director of Government and External Relations.
Samsung Electronics is one of the world’s largest tech companies, employing over 300,000 people around the globe, a fifth of whom work in R&D. The UK is home to Samsung’s European operations, including its R&D centre, AI centre, and new King’s Cross tech venue, and is one Samsung's most important commercial and research markets. Aleyne is responsible for leading Samsung's policy development across all business and technology issues and works with Government and a wide range of external stakeholders. He also helps promote UK trade with important tech nations around the world.
He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce and former Board member of the UK Government's Child Internet Safety Council (UKCCIS) and the Prince's Trust Technology Leadership Group.
Prior to joining Samsung, Aleyne held roles in the technology and telecoms sectors with Vodafone and Orange and, before that, in the financial services sector in the UK and Australasia. He also worked for the British Government.
He lives in West London with his wife, two children and cat.
If you wish to contact a member of the Board, please do so via [email protected].
Dr Sarah Gates
Dr Sarah Gates
Sarah Gates is Director of Public Policy at Wayve, a London-based company pioneering AI technology to enable autonomous vehicles to drive in complex urban environments. Prior to joining Wayve, Sarah had a multidisciplinary background across a variety of science and technology roles. She began her career in academia, with a PhD at Imperial College London and has since specialised in science and research policy; in AI, data and emerging technologies, both in UK Government and industry. At Wayve Sarah works closely with government and our partners, focusing on the future regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles.
If you wish to contact a member of the Board, please do so via [email protected].
Award timeline
| Awards open for nominations | 11 March |
| Nominations close | Extended to 26 April |
| Shortlist announcement | June |
| Winners and highly commended announced at techUK Annual Dinner | 2 July |
Learn more about the President's Award from Sheila Flavell CBE
Award entry criteria - FAQs
Who can enter?
- All techUK members are invited to make a nomination.
- The awards are free to enter and are a member benefit.
- Only individuals from techUK member companies are eligible to nominate and be nominated.
- Only one entry per member company. Please note this is not one entry per category.
- Nominated individuals must still be working for a techUK member company in July 2024 (when the Awards are presented)
- Members can nominate someone from their own company, or someone from another company (as long as that company is a member of techUK).
- We can only accept one nomination from each company. If we receive multiple nominations from one company, we will defer to your company ‘Authorised Representative’ (the person who manages your techUK membership) to make the final decision on which nomination we accept.
- Each nomination needs to document the case for the individual. This should focus on the impact this individual delivered.
The nomination form is at the bottom of this page.
How many entries can we submit?
Only one entry per member company. Please note this is not one entry per category.
- Only individuals from techUK member companies are eligible to nominate and be nominated.
- Members can nominate someone from their own company, or someone from another company (as long as that company is a member of techUK).
- We can only accept one nomination from each company. If we receive multiple nominations from one company, we will defer to your company ‘Authorised Representative’ (the person who manages your techUK membership) to make the final decision on which nomination we accept.
The nomination form is at the bottom of this page.
Can I nominate myself?
Yes you can, but if we receive multiple nominations from your company, we will defer to your company ‘Authorised Representative’ (the person who manages your techUK membership) to make the final decision on which nomination we accept.
The nomination form is at the bottom of this page.
How do I know who my Authorised Representative is?
Award category nomination examples
Examples of passionate people who have:
-
Led an initiative in their company for inclusion and diversity.
-
Introduced new tech or a process to support growth for SMEs.
-
Developed new tech that identifies and encourages representation from all cultures in a platform.
-
Led a project that puts the well-being of people at the heart of its application.
-
Developed tech that makes life easier for vulnerable groups.
-
Developed online safety protocols for vulnerable audiences.
-
Led initiatives to support SMEs and communities to meet net zero.
How do I enter?
Simply complete the online nomination form.
The nomination form is at the bottom of this page.
How do I know if my nomination is shortlisted?
We will email shortlised nominees (and their nominator) with the good news in May. This email will come from [email protected] or [email protected] so please check your junk/spam just in case.
What happens if I win?
The award winners will be announced at the techUK Annual Dinner, taking place on 2 July in London. All shortlisted nominees will be invited to the Annual Dinner as our guest.
The benefits of winning:
- Winners will be announced on stage at the techUK Annual Dinner in front of 650+ leading tech companies and government stakeholders.
- Winners will receive a physical ‘trophy’, and a digital ‘badge’ that they can add to their email signatures and social accounts.
- Winners will be profiled and celebrated on the techUK website.
- We will post a blogs about each individual winner, project and company they work for on our website and on our social media accounts (76k followers) in the weeks following the Awards.
- We will create a video about each winner, project and company they work for and post on our website and on our social media accounts (76k followers) in the weeks following the Awards.
- We will profile the winners in the first techUK newsletter post the Awards ceremony.
- We will profile the winners in relevant techUK Programme newsletters post the Awards ceremony (e.g. our climate newsletter, policy newsletter, SME newsletter, skills newsletter etc.)
Plus:
- Event speaking opportunities: Winners will be invited to speak at a relevant techUK event.
- LinkedIn Newsletter: Winners will be profiled in the techUK LinkedIn Newsletter post the Awards.
- Tech for Good: Winners will be interviewed for the techUK ‘Tech for Good’ series
- Webinar and blog: Winning companies will be invited to host a webinar and write a blog on a topic related to the project or work they were nominated for.
Quotes from our 2023 Award winners
“I was nominated for the Society Award because of the software tools that Forensic Analytics provides to law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Done right, technology can absolutely have a fantastically beneficial effect for society. Being recognised by the tech industry for our work feels a little bit surreal!”
“I feel humble and proud because I feel techUK has recognised all the work that we have been doing with Climate Essentials in the past three years, and I feel super happy. Winning is amazing for me.”
“I’m most delighted on behalf of my company, Plexal, because we’re on a real journey and real mission, and to be at the head of that charge is so exciting for me. A moment like this is recognition that we’re heading in the right direction.”
"To be recognised as a company really making a difference in tech is wonderful. It’s incredible to have this room of experts at the cutting edge, really thinking about all of the implications of how tech can dramatically improve society.”
The techUK President’s Award is our opportunity to shine a spotlight on the amazing talent we have in the UK tech industry. The awards are open to all techUK member companies, and I would encourage one nomination from each of our members. Good luck!
Nomination form
Media partner
For more information about techUK President's Award, please contact:
Alex Smith
Alex joined techUK in September 2021 as our Head of Brand and Campaigns.