Technology industry trade body TechUK has recognised four pioneering industry leaders for their work in using digital innovation to deliver social, cultural or economic improvements in the UK.
In its second annual President’s Awards, the organization selected honorees who it said “go above and beyond the call of duty” to use technology for good.
The winners in each of the four award categories are:
People
The People Award recognises individuals who have a demonstrable impact on wellbeing, skills, diversity and inclusion. The 2024 recipient is Chris Whitehouse, Director of Customer Experience at data consultancy Collaboraite.
Whitehouse developed a tool called Welfare Assist to protect the wellbeing of online investigators exposed to shocking and disturbing imagery within the defence and law enforcement sectors. Its aim was to use data-driven tools to mitigate exposure to harmful content in order to protect the mental wellbeing of investigators, while enabling the collection of intelligence essential to a successful investigation.
Economy
The Economy category recognizes individuals who enable improvements, mitigate risks, protect funds, facilitate progress in financial planning and support economic growth.
The winner of the award is Toby Jones, Managing Director of TJC, a public sector focused services company. Mr Jones established the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE), a unit within the Home Office’s Homeland Security Group, which addresses public security challenges arising from digital technologies and data. ACE has lowered the barriers to entry for small businesses wishing to engage in public sector projects and provided the Government with access to leading technology capabilities and expertise while supporting SME growth and new product development.
Company
The Society Award recognizes an individual who enables society at all levels to work, live and interact better, to drive growth and create value. The recipient is Jennifer Neff, CEO of Access Elemental, which provides social prescribing software to GPs and other frontline healthcare professionals.
Neff’s team helps over 20 million people in the UK, Ireland and Australia improve community wellbeing. Their work tackles key social determinants of health including debt, housing and loneliness, while reducing demand for health and social care services. Their technology-for-good approach has helped people in deprived areas, creating jobs and driving social innovation.
Planet
The Planet category aims to contribute to the protection and maintenance of the planet. The winner is Eric Zie, CEO and founder of GoCodeGreen, a company that aims to reduce the carbon and environmental impact of digital products and services.
Zie promotes sustainability in the digital sector by identifying opportunities to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption, as well as costs for organizations. GoCodeGreen also works with least developed countries on digital transformation, finding ways to create strategies for a cleaner and more sustainable digital future.
A force for good
Sheila Flavell, FDM Group COO and Chair of Tech UK, said: “The honourees are true visionaries of the power that technology can have as a force for good. These exceptional individuals go above and beyond the call of duty to demonstrate the role that digital innovation can play on people, society, the economy and the planet.”
Nicola Hodson, Vice President of TechUK and CEO of IBM UK and Ireland, added: “We continue to be impressed by the quality of the nominations we receive for the President’s Award. This year’s winners are a clear demonstration of the exceptional work of TechUK members in harnessing technology to deliver positive change at scale.”
Computer Weekly is a media partner of the TechUK President’s Awards.
