Is someone in your team making a real difference?
Every organisation has them:
- The innovator who finds solutions others can’t see.
- The changemaker who lifts communities.
- The quiet force making waves behind the scenes.
- The leader who uses tech for good.
The techUK President’s Award is your chance to put that person in the spotlight.
Why nominate:
This isn’t just another industry award.
The President’s Award was launched in 2023 to recognise the individuals who are working with technology to create meaningful, measurable impact - across people, society, the economy and the planet.
By nominating, you:
- Give a standout colleague the recognition they deserve.
- Celebrate the positive impact your organisation is making.
- Raise your organisations profile across the UK tech sector.
- Showcase your work to industry leaders and government stakeholders.
It’s a simple way to celebrate and amplify the difference your colleague and your team is already making.
What we're looking for:
The awards will recognise individuals who go above and beyond - whether they are:
- Protecting people online
- Helping UK SMEs grow
- Improving public sector efficiency
- Advancing healthcare
- Supporting vulnerable communities
- Driving digital inclusion
- Improving education or digital skills
- Championing sustainability
- Leading digital transformation, or
- Improving growth, productivity or efficiency across the economy
No project is too big or too small.
Our four award categories - People, Society, Economy and Planet - are intentionally broad and inclusive. If someone is making a positive impact through technology, we want to hear about them.
Let our judges decide.
Nominate your colleague in one of four categories:
1. People Award
We are looking for someone who, through technology, has helped support personal health and well-being, driven inclusion or diversity initiatives, supported vulnerable or underrepresented groups, promoted cultural representation, supported personal growth, education or digital skills initiatives, or developed tech to protect people online.
2. Society Award
We are looking for someone who, through technology, has supported digital transformation in the public sector for improved citizen experiences, created technology that enhances personal control over identity, supported travel, mobility, or infrastructure, enabled community connectivity and cohesion, supported the justice or emergency services sector, enhanced Britain’s security across land, sea, air, space, and/or the cyber domain, or developed tech that simplifies life for communities.
3. Economy Award
We are looking for someone who, through technology, has improved growth, productivity or efficiency across the economy, supported procurement within the public sector, created tech or processes to aid the growth of UK SMEs, led initiatives that position the UK as a leader in a specific technology, developed technology to improve financial control or planning, or helped individuals, businesses, councils, or Government anticipate and mitigate risks, including enhancing cyber resilience.
4. Planet Award
We are looking for someone who, through technology, has led initiatives to support the climate agenda, developed tech or led projects that support the circular economy, nature, or biodiversity, created tech solutions to facilitate recycling and reuse, championed their company's efforts towards achieving net zero, led initiatives to help businesses and communities transition to net zero or renewable energy sources, monitored, responded to, or mitigated extreme weather events, or raised awareness of the impact of climate-friendly solutions.
Nomination criteria:
Each nomination needs to document the case for the individual. This should focus on the impact this individual has delivered. Below is what we are looking for:
The people we are looking for might have:
- Led the development of tech or a project that supports personal health and well-being.
- Developed a digital solution aimed at protecting people online.
- Led an inclusion or diversity initiative.
- Made an impact on vulnerable or underrepresented people/groups.
- Led the development of new tech that identifies and encourages representation from all cultures.
- Made an impact on personal growth, education, or digital skills.
- Instigated online safety protocols.
The people we are looking for might have:
- Developed tech to support digital transformation in the public sector to improve the citizen experience.
- Developed new tech to enable people to have better control over their identity.
- Developed new tech to support the justice or emergency services sector.
- Led a project that enables community connectivity and cohesion.
- Developed tech or a platform that enables local groups to interact and grow.
- Developed new tech/a service/a solution to support travel, mobility, or infrastructure.
- Developed defence technologies for the benefit of wider society, showcasing the transformative impact of defence innovation beyond its traditional boundaries.
The people we are looking for might have:
- Developed tech to support growth, productivity or efficiency in the public sector.
- Developed tech to support procurement in the public sector.
- Developed new tech or a process to support the growth of UK SMEs.
- Led initiatives that mark the UK as a leader in a specific technology.
- Developed new tech to enable people to have better control over their finances, or that aid financial planning.
- Helped people, companies, councils or government to anticipate and mitigate risk, including cyber resilience.
The people we are looking for might have:
- Led initiatives either within their company or for a wider pool of people to support the climate agenda.
- Developed tech solutions to support a circular economy, nature or biodiversity.
- Developed tech solutions to enable easier recycling or reuse.
- Developed tech, or led a project to monitor, respond, adapt or mitigate extreme weather events.
- Led initiatives to support businesses and communities to reach net zero or shift to renewable sources.
- Championed and raised awareness of the impact of climate-friendly solutions.
What winners receive:
The four award winners will:
- Be announced on stage at the techUK Annual Dinner (Tuesday 30 June) in front of 650+ senior industry leaders and government representatives.
- Be featured across techUK’s digital channels, including our LinkedIn account with over 70,000 followers.
- Be profiled by our media partner.
- Gain opportunities for blogs, videos and speaking engagements at techUK activities.
This is national recognition in front of the UK tech community.
How to nominate:
- To nominate, please complete the form below.
- To be eligible to nominate/be nominated, individuals must must either
- a) work for a techUK member company (check if the company you/they work for is a member of techUK here) or
- b) work for a learning provider with Tech Industry Gold (TIG) accreditation from techskills (click Select Provider to see the list).
- You can nominate someone from your own company, or someone from another company (as long as that company is also a techUK member/TIG accredited).
- We are happy to accept nominations for multiple colleagues within the same organisation.
- Nominee details must include their work email address (that represents the organisation they work for).
- Nominated individuals must still be working for a techUK member company/TIG accredited learning provider in June 2026 (when the Award is presented).
- Maximum 600 word nomination submission.
- Nominations will be judged purely on merit.
FAQs:
Who can enter?
- To be eligible to nominate/be nominated, individuals must must either A) work for a techUK member company (check if the company you/they work for is a member of techUK here) or B) work for a learning provider with Tech Industry Gold (TIG) accreditation from techskills (click Select Provider to see the list).
- Members can nominate someone from their own company, or someone from another company (as long as that company is also a member of techUK/TIG accredited).
- We are happy to accept nominations for multiple colleagues within the same organisation.
- Nominee details must include their work email address (that represents the organisation they work for).
- Nominated individuals must still be working for a techUK member company/TIG accredited learning provider in June 2026 (when the Award is presented).
- Maximum 600 word nomination submission.
- Nominations will be judged purely on merit.
- Each nomination needs to document the case for the individual. This should focus on the impact this individual delivered based on the award criteria.
- The awards are free to enter.
How many entries can we submit?
- We are happy to accept nominations for multiple people within the same organisation.
- To be eligible to nominate/be nominated, individuals must must either A) work for a techUK member company (check if the company you/they work for is a member of techUK here) or B) work for a learning provider with Tech Industry Gold (TIG) accreditation from techskills (click Select Provider to see the list).
- Members can nominate someone from their own company, or someone from another company (as long as that company is also a member of techUK).
- Nominee details must include their work email address (that represents the organisation they work for).
Can I nominate myself?
- Yes, you are free to nominate yourself. To do so, you must use your work email address (that represents the organisation you work for).
- To be eligible you must either A) work for a techUK member company (check if the company you work for is a member of techUK here) or B) work for a learning provider with Tech Industry Gold (TIG) accreditation from techskills (click Select Provider to see the list).
How do I enter?
Simply complete the online nomination form.
Here are the timescales we are working to:
| Awards open for nominations | 23 March |
| Nominations close | 1 May |
| 'Meet the Judges' day | 9 June |
| Winners announced at techUK Annual Dinner | 30 June |
How do I know if my nomination is shortlisted?
We will email shortlisted 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.
In brief, this is the award timeline:
| Awards open for nominations | 23 March |
| Nominations close | 1 May |
| 'Meet the Judges' day | 9 June |
| Winners announced at techUK Annual Dinner | 30 June |
What happens if I win?
The award winners will be announced at the techUK Annual Dinner, taking place on 30 June 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 (Tuesday 30 June) in front of 650+ leading tech companies and government stakeholders.
- Winners will receive a physical ‘award’, and a digital ‘badge’ that they can add to their email signatures and social accounts.
- Winners will be profiled and celebrated on the techUK website.
- We will post a blog about each individual winner, project and company they work for on our website and on our social media accounts (70k followers on LinkedIn) 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 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: Where achievable, winning companies will be invited to take part in a webinar or write a blog on a topic related to the project or work they were nominated for.
Judging panel:
techUK has convened a stellar panel of industry leaders to judge the 2026 award:
Sheila Flavell CBE
Sheila Flavell CBE
Sheila Flavell CBE is President of techUK, and both Chief Operating Officer and an Executive Board Director of FDM Group. She has spent 35 years operating within the international tech space. As a “woman returner”, Sheila is passionate about promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in today’s workplace. She founded the FDM Returners Programme in 2015, which has since helped over 550 men and women return to work after a career break.
As a prominent female tech leader, Sheila understands the importance of being a strong role model and mentor for women. She has been key in driving FDM’s global expansion programmes, as well as establishing the company’s listing on the FTSE 250 in 2017. Sheila continues to advise government committees on improving the digital skills shortage in the UK. Her work in championing gender diversity has helped FDM attain a zero gender pay gap consistently since reporting was introduced in 2017. She was awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2020 New Year’s Honours List, for services to gender equality in technology and services to graduate and returners’ employment.
If you wish to contact a member of the Board, please do so via [email protected].
Dr Nicola Hodson
Dr Nicola Hodson
Dr Nicola Hodson was appointed Chair, IBM UK and Ireland, in January 2025. Prior to taking on this role, Dr Hodson served as Chief Executive IBM UK and Ireland, a position she held for two years.
Dr Hodson is an accomplished technology industry leader with a deep understanding of the challenges facing the tech industry, as well as extensive experience in business and digital transformation. In 2023 and again in 2024, Dr Hodson ranked highly in Computer Weekly’s list of the 50 most influential people in UK technology, and in CRN’s 2024 A-List.
Dr Hodson held senior positions at Microsoft for 15 years, including as a global leader of the transformation of the Microsoft commercial sales, marketing and operations business and UK Chief Operating Officer covering its UK commercial and consumer business.
As Deputy President of techUK, the trade association for the IT industry, Dr Hodson has a wide breadth of experience and understanding of the tech sector, from large companies to start-ups, coupled with significant experience in the energy sector. She has extensive Board experience across multiple sectors, including Beazley plc, Drax Group plc, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). She has formerly served as a non-executive at Ofgem, the UK Council for Child Internet Safety, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) group, as a governor of Bradfield College, and as a director of start-up Bramble Energy.
Dr Hodson previously worked in the IT and business services division of Siemens, at CSC (now DXC), as a management consultant for EY and in the nuclear industry at BNFL.
Dr Hodson holds an MBA and a PhD in Engineering. She is married with three sons and two stepsons, loves outdoor pursuits and is a keen motorbike enthusiast.
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 Bletchley Park Trust & Chair Institute of Coding | Portfolio Non Exec 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 appointed as a CBE in the Queen’s Honours List of 2018 and was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree by the University of Bath in 2019.
If you wish to contact a member of the Board, please do so via [email protected].
Award timeline:
| Awards open for nominations | 23 March |
| Nominations close | 1 May |
| 'Meet the Judges' day | 9 June |
| Winners announced at techUK Annual Dinner | 30 June |
Quotes from our previous Award winners:
“Overwhelmed, proud, delighted, seen, I can’t believe it… techUK has unlocked so many avenues for me.”
“We’ve been members of techUK for a couple of years now. It really adds value to our organisation, it really, genuinely genuinely does.”
“I feel so proud to win this award. It’s such a special award and it recognises what we’re doing and how much heart the team have put into what we’re building to impact the economy. So, I’m really, really pleased.”
“I feel great. It’s been a special evening. I’m delighted to win the award. Sustainability and technology aren’t things that have sat naturally together in recent years. It’s an evolving space, and more than anything, techUK has given us a voice.”
“Amazing to win. It’s so exciting to have the work of the team recognised for what we’ve done. Delighted.”
“It feels fantastic. Absolutely amazing. Great for Access Elemental, it’s great for social prescribing, it’s great for the Access Group and for the community voluntary sector and all the people that we support."
“I think I was nominated because I’ve had the opportunity to represent the interest and power of an SME community and I think this is a celebration of the effect and power SMEs can have."
“Absolutely amazing. Super pleased. Love the fact that this award is peer judged in a techUK community where we’re all trying to do good. Amazing.”
"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.”
“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’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.”
“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.”
The award ceremony:
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.
The techUK President’s Award is our opportunity to shine a spotlight on the amazing talent we have in the UK tech industry. We are always bowled over by the quality of nominations we receive each year, and we want to thank every techUK member who has put forward a colleague. Through each of the four awards: People, Society, Economy, and Planet, we recognise the positive difference individuals from techUK member companies are making through their work with technology. With over 1,100 members, techUK now represents over 1.1 million tech workers in the UK so our award winners truly are one in a million.
