UK tech awards
Thursday 14 November 2024, Hotel InterContinental, London W1
shortlist announced
About
about the awards
recent showreel
The UK tech awards celebrates success, rewards achievement and raises the profile of the
UK tech community.
Companies which are eligible for the awards include not only publicly quoted technology companies on London Stock Exchange Main Market, but also AIM tech companies and fast growing and innovative private tech companies.
The UK tech awards provides a fantastic showcase for the fast-moving tech sector and a great networking opportunity, with an attendance of over 700 people comprising tech entrepreneurs, CEOs and FDs of fast growing tech companies (both public and private), plus corporate advisors, investors (both private and institutional), and tech consultants and commentators.
In short, an event not to be missed for the UK’s entire tech community!
Sponsors
J.P. Morgan is a global leader in financial services, providing comprehensive, scalable solutions in investment banking, commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset management. Committed to being the leading bank for the innovation economy, J.P. Morgan and its bankers across the globe, provide venture-backed and high-growth companies with specialized services, access to a robust professional and venture capital network and money-management solutions. With tech that powers growth, J.P. Morgan gives the agility needed to make secure, real-time, efficient decisions. Build your future with J.P. Morgan.
headline sponsor:
J.P. Morgan is a global leader in financial services, providing comprehensive, scalable solutions in investment banking, commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset management. Committed to being the leading bank for the innovation economy, J.P. Morgan and its bankers across the globe, provide venture-backed and high-growth companies with specialized services, access to a robust professional and venture capital network and money-management solutions. With tech that powers growth, J.P. Morgan gives the agility needed to make secure, real-time, efficient decisions. Build your future with J.P. Morgan.
Rothschild & Co is one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory groups. Our Global Advisory division designs and executes strategic M&A and financing solutions for our clients including large and mid-sized corporations, Private Equity, families and entrepreneurs, and governments.
Our deep understanding of financial markets, the high volume of transactions we advise on and our unrivalled network of sector specialists in over 40 countries, allows us to achieve outstanding results for our clients.
Rothschild & Co is one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory groups. Our Global Advisory division designs and executes strategic M&A and financing solutions for our clients including large and mid-sized corporations, Private Equity, families and entrepreneurs, and governments.
Our deep understanding of financial markets, the high volume of transactions we advise on and our unrivalled network of sector specialists in over 40 countries, allows us to achieve outstanding results for our clients.
Gracechurch Group is a full-service communications agency in the financial heart of London. Our team of over 20 highly qualified consultants deploy 25 years of strategic and hands-on expertise and knowledge to ensure public and privately held companies thrive in the modern media landscape. With a fully integrated approach, we provide a wide range of services from financial PR and investor relations to corporate and digital communications and social media. Our clients include privately held businesses and those listed on the LSE, NASDAQ, TASE, ASX and other global bourses and operating across multiple sectors. A thorough understanding of our clients’ businesses along with a strong commercial ethos helps us to create value and empower our clients through strategic communications.
Gracechurch Group is a full-service communications agency in the financial heart of London. Our team of over 20 highly qualified consultants deploy 25 years of strategic and hands-on expertise and knowledge to ensure public and privately held companies thrive in the modern media landscape. With a fully integrated approach, we provide a wide range of services from financial PR and investor relations to corporate and digital communications and social media. Our clients include privately held businesses and those listed on the LSE, NASDAQ, TASE, ASX and other global bourses and operating across multiple sectors. A thorough understanding of our clients’ businesses along with a strong commercial ethos helps us to create value and empower our clients through strategic communications.
Heidrick & Struggles is a premier provider of global leadership advisory and on-demand talent solutions, serving the senior-level talent and consulting needs of the world's top organisations. In our role as trusted leadership advisors, we partner with our clients to develop future-ready leaders and organisations, bringing together our services and offerings in executive search, diversity and inclusion, leadership assessment and development, organisation and team acceleration, culture shaping and on-demand, independent talent solutions.
Heidrick & Struggles Technology Practice has placed thousands of candidates: from technology executives at some of the world’s best-known companies to emerging leaders at later-stage start-ups. Our broad experience across industry and functional practices, combined with our unrivalled relationships, provides a unique advantage point for finding and developing transformational talent.
www.heidrick.com/en/industries/technology
Heidrick & Struggles pioneered the profession of executive search more than 70 years ago. Today, the firm provides integrated talent and human capital solutions to help our clients change the world, one leadership team at a time.® www.heidrick.com
Heidrick & Struggles is a premier provider of global leadership advisory and on-demand talent solutions, serving the senior-level talent and consulting needs of the world's top organisations. In our role as trusted leadership advisors, we partner with our clients to develop future-ready leaders and organisations, bringing together our services and offerings in executive search, diversity and inclusion, leadership assessment and development, organisation and team acceleration, culture shaping and on-demand, independent talent solutions.
Heidrick & Struggles Technology Practice has placed thousands of candidates: from technology executives at some of the world’s best-known companies to emerging leaders at later-stage start-ups. Our broad experience across industry and functional practices, combined with our unrivalled relationships, provides a unique advantage point for finding and developing transformational talent.
www.heidrick.com/en/industries/technology
Heidrick & Struggles pioneered the profession of executive search more than 70 years ago. Today, the firm provides integrated talent and human capital solutions to help our clients change the world, one leadership team at a time.® www.heidrick.com
Teneo is a 1,600-headcount global CEO advisory firm which brings together top professionals to offer a unique blend of capabilities in an integrated fashion. In Technology, we excel in three disciplines:
In our Management Consulting division, a team of >100 strategy consultants across London, New York, San Francisco and Dubai serve a range of leading publicly listed and private-equity-backed technology firms on topics of growth strategy, product strategy, operating model redesign, pricing & packaging, and commercial diligence.
In our People Advisory division, we have a market-leading capability in Executive Search for C-level roles – typically for private-equity-backed technology assets – alongside expertise in culture & purpose and organisational effectiveness/performance.
Teneo’s Strategic Communications division helps technology clients tackle their biggest corporate reputation challenges. Our team brings together the disciplines of corporate communications, government affairs, crisis & issues management, investor relations, and research in an integrated approach to provide clients with unparalleled business counsel and tactical communications support around the world.
Teneo is a 1,600-headcount global CEO advisory firm which brings together top professionals to offer a unique blend of capabilities in an integrated fashion. In Technology, we excel in three disciplines:
In our Management Consulting division, a team of >100 strategy consultants across London, New York, San Francisco and Dubai serve a range of leading publicly listed and private-equity-backed technology firms on topics of growth strategy, product strategy, operating model redesign, pricing & packaging, and commercial diligence.
In our People Advisory division, we have a market-leading capability in Executive Search for C-level roles – typically for private-equity-backed technology assets – alongside expertise in culture & purpose and organisational effectiveness/performance.
Teneo’s Strategic Communications division helps technology clients tackle their biggest corporate reputation challenges. Our team brings together the disciplines of corporate communications, government affairs, crisis & issues management, investor relations, and research in an integrated approach to provide clients with unparalleled business counsel and tactical communications support around the world.
We are delighted to welcome Edison as a sponsor and further details will be available in due course.
We are delighted to welcome Edison as a sponsor and further details will be available in due course.
ECI is a leading growth-focused private equity firm, investing alongside ambitious management teams in deals valued up to £300m. With half a century of investment success in the tech sector, ECI have partnered with over 250 growth businesses, offering management teams hands-on support to unlock growth opportunities together from day one. ECI delivers exceptional results with the last 12 months seeing an average return of 4.7x from 4 exits.
Recent investments have included Commify, the European leader in business messaging solutions to local enterprises and ISMS.online, the fastest growing cyber security and compliance provider in the UK. ECI recently closed its latest fund, ECI 12, at a hard cap of £1bn in September 2023.
ECI is a leading growth-focused private equity firm, investing alongside ambitious management teams in deals valued up to £300m. With half a century of investment success in the tech sector, ECI have partnered with over 250 growth businesses, offering management teams hands-on support to unlock growth opportunities together from day one. ECI delivers exceptional results with the last 12 months seeing an average return of 4.7x from 4 exits.
Recent investments have included Commify, the European leader in business messaging solutions to local enterprises and ISMS.online, the fastest growing cyber security and compliance provider in the UK. ECI recently closed its latest fund, ECI 12, at a hard cap of £1bn in September 2023.
At PwC, we’re committed to maximise business value and growth through technology innovation and digital transformation.
Bringing together our community of solvers in unexpected ways, we help clients solve their most important problems by combining human ingenuity with the right technology to build trust and deliver sustained outcomes.
It all adds up to The New Equation.
https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/industries/technology.html
PwC refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.
At PwC, we’re committed to maximise business value and growth through technology innovation and digital transformation.
Bringing together our community of solvers in unexpected ways, we help clients solve their most important problems by combining human ingenuity with the right technology to build trust and deliver sustained outcomes.
It all adds up to The New Equation.
https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/industries/technology.html
PwC refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.
Berenberg is one of the leading UK & Pan-European privately owned banks, founded in 1590. It’s Investment Banking division acts as trusted strategic adviser to companies and investors on fundraising, capital markets and M&A. Operating from 14 offices across the UK, Europe and the US, we have helped our corporate clients raise more than £85bn since 2016.
Berenberg is one of the leading UK & Pan-European privately owned banks, founded in 1590. It’s Investment Banking division acts as trusted strategic adviser to companies and investors on fundraising, capital markets and M&A. Operating from 14 offices across the UK, Europe and the US, we have helped our corporate clients raise more than £85bn since 2016.
Launched in May 2022, Boardwave is an independent social enterprise that has grown rapidly to 1,500 members across the European software industry, including Founders, CEOs and their Investors.
For a generation, Silicon Valley’s collaborative community has fostered some of the world's most valuable companies. Committed to creating similar conditions for success, Boardwave aims to propel the European software industry forward, nurturing the next generation of global leaders.
Boardwave provides a comprehensive ecosystem of support, offering leaders access to expertise, knowledge sharing, mentoring, and coaching, thought leadership, and personal development free of charge. It also facilitates access to capital and ensures a clear and unified voice to Governments.
We believe that by 2033, the European software industry can transform from laggard to leader, with many successful global players built in the region.
Boardwave is privately funded by a consortium of over 80 of Europe’s leading investors and service providers in the software sector.
Launched in May 2022, Boardwave is an independent social enterprise that has grown rapidly to 1,500 members across the European software industry, including Founders, CEOs and their Investors.
For a generation, Silicon Valley’s collaborative community has fostered some of the world's most valuable companies. Committed to creating similar conditions for success, Boardwave aims to propel the European software industry forward, nurturing the next generation of global leaders.
Boardwave provides a comprehensive ecosystem of support, offering leaders access to expertise, knowledge sharing, mentoring, and coaching, thought leadership, and personal development free of charge. It also facilitates access to capital and ensures a clear and unified voice to Governments.
We believe that by 2033, the European software industry can transform from laggard to leader, with many successful global players built in the region.
Boardwave is privately funded by a consortium of over 80 of Europe’s leading investors and service providers in the software sector.
Founders Forum Group is a global community and group of businesses supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of their journeys.
Its forums unite the world’s most influential founders, investors, corporate and government leaders to tackle era-defining questions in iconic locations across the globe.
Since 2019, Founders Forum has partnered with Informa Tech to celebrate the strength and diversity of UK tech through London Tech Week.
Fuelled by the connections and ideas forged at the group’s flagship events, FF Group businesses support the needs of today’s founders via services (Founders Keepers, Founders Law, Founders Makers, Miroma Founders Network, Founders HR, Founders Comms, Founders Health), education (01 Founders), investment (Founders Factory, firstminute capital), networking (Grip, Founders Assistants), philanthropy (Founders Pledge, The Centre for Entrepreneurs,) and content (Founders Insights). In 2021, the group sold its innovation strategy consulting firm, Founders Intelligence, to global consultancy, Accenture.
Last year, FF Group acquired Tech Nation, the UK’s leading growth platform for tech scaleups. Founders Forum Group continues the previously government-funded Tech Nation programmes centred around early-stage and diverse founders, as well as data-driven research into the UK's tech ecosystem.
supported by:
Founders Forum Group is a global community and group of businesses supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of their journeys.
Its forums unite the world’s most influential founders, investors, corporate and government leaders to tackle era-defining questions in iconic locations across the globe.
Since 2019, Founders Forum has partnered with Informa Tech to celebrate the strength and diversity of UK tech through London Tech Week.
Fuelled by the connections and ideas forged at the group’s flagship events, FF Group businesses support the needs of today’s founders via services (Founders Keepers, Founders Law, Founders Makers, Miroma Founders Network, Founders HR, Founders Comms, Founders Health), education (01 Founders), investment (Founders Factory, firstminute capital), networking (Grip, Founders Assistants), philanthropy (Founders Pledge, The Centre for Entrepreneurs,) and content (Founders Insights). In 2021, the group sold its innovation strategy consulting firm, Founders Intelligence, to global consultancy, Accenture.
Last year, FF Group acquired Tech Nation, the UK’s leading growth platform for tech scaleups. Founders Forum Group continues the previously government-funded Tech Nation programmes centred around early-stage and diverse founders, as well as data-driven research into the UK's tech ecosystem.
Awards
covering the period 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024
shortlist announced
Click on each award to view more information
tech deal of the year award
Sponsored by:
tech deal of the year award
Sponsored by
2024 shortlist
- Darktrace plc
- IRIS Software Group Limited
- Monzo Bank Limited
- Raspberry Pi Holdings plc
- Revolut Group Holdings Ltd
- Wayve Technologies Ltd
criteria
The winner of this award will have completed a significant commercial or corporate transaction during the period under review, which could include licensing, partnering, collaboration fundraising, IPO or acquisition of a company or IP. The deal would be significant in scope and transformational in nature and would have added significantly to the company or organisation’s prospects in the short, medium and long term.
2023 winner
tech commentator of the year award
Sponsored by:
tech commentator of the year award
Sponsored by
2024 shortlist
- Anisah Osman Britton MBE
- Amy Lewin/Sifted
- Hannah Murphy/Financial Times
- Katie Prescott/The Times
- Simon Thompson/Investors’ Chronicle
- James Titcomb/The Telegraph
criteria
This award is given to recognise and reward incisive, accurate, regular thought provoking and readable commentary, in what is clearly a specialist subject. In-depth knowledge of the whole UK tech ecosystem and being a recognised advocate or thought leader for the sector is key.
2023 winner
Richard Holway MBE & Anthony Miller/ TechMarketView
scale up award
Sponsored by:
scale up award
Sponsored by
2024 shortlist
- Cera Care Limited
- ComplyAdvantage Ltd
- Finbourne Technology Group Ltd
- Fresha.com SV Ltd t/a Fresha
- Immersive Labs Ltd
- Quantexa Limited
- Rovco Limited t/a Beam
criteria
The "Scale-up" award recognises pre-profit companies that have achieved an exponential level of success that sets them apart from their peers. This success could be measured by a number of factors including: demonstrable revenue growth e.g. >50% yoy; or a growing user base e.g. >100%; or significant funding from investors.
Nominees in this category will be asked to complete a submission form after nomination. The form requests key financial information and some KPIs.
2023 winner
tech for good award
Sponsored by:
tech for good award
Sponsored by
2024 shortlist
- Arenko Cleantech Limited
- Cera Care Limited
- eyeWitness to Atrocities
- KareHero Ltd
- Raspberry Pi Holdings plc
- Unmind Ltd
- ZOE Limited
criteria
Today’s customers expect businesses to deliver positive social and environmental outcomes as well as commercial value. The purpose of this award is to recognise non-financial contributions to society through the use of technology. The winner of this award will be a company that has harnessed the power of technology to deliver beneficial social, cultural and/or environmental outcomes. It could be the foundation of the entire ethos of the company or a specific initiative that is generating positive results in the community.
Nominees in this category will be asked to complete a submission form after nomination. The form requests key financial information and some KPIs.
2023 winner
tech investor award
Sponsored by:
tech investor award
Sponsored by
2024 shortlist
- Accel
- Balderton Capital (UK) LLP
- Dawn Capital LLP
- HgCapital LLP
- Index Ventures (UK) LLP
- Summit Partners LP
criteria
This award recognises an organisation that truly understands tech and has demonstrated an ability to identify new and existing commercial opportunities across the sector. Their commitment and passion for the industry will be underlined by the investment decisions they have made, which will have led to strong commercial and profitable outcomes. They will understand value creation and possess a long term vision to help businesses grow, and will be able to demonstrate proven results, analytical skills, specialisation and deep understanding of the tech sector. This award is open to every organisation that invests in the sector, be they angel investors, fund management groups, Private Equity, IP commercialisation organisations etc., as long as the organisation is based in the UK or Ireland and invests primarily in UK tech.
In reviewing the nominations, the Voting Panel will pay due regard to fund return metrics and the number of Unicorns in the portfolio.
2023 winner
best use of tech in the digital economy award
Sponsored by:
best use of tech in the digital economy award
Sponsored by
2024 shortlist
- 1Spatial plc
- Cantab Research Limited t/a Speechmatics
- Eagle Eye Solutions Group plc
- Trainline plc
- Windward Ltd
- Youth Group Limited
criteria
The winner of this award will be a company that has harnessed the power of digital technologies, including AI, IoT, robotics and blockchain to build or transform business models. It could be an established business that is using these new technologies to engage more effectively with its customers, or it could be a newer business that could only successfully exist and grow in the digital age. Engagement, connectivity and interactivity with its customers will be key.
2023 winner
tech growth business of the year award
Sponsored by:
tech growth business of the year award
Sponsored by
2024 shortlist
- Concurrent Technologies plc
- Epos Now (UK) Ltd
- Exclaimer Ltd
- Featurespace Limited
- Revolut Group Holdings Ltd
- Team Internet Group plc
criteria
The winner will be a profitable company able to demonstrate annual revenue growth greater than 10% CAGR over the last three years with a minimum revenue of £10m for the last accounting period. The Voting Panel will use qualitative as well as quantitative measures in determining the winner – and so will be looking for a company that has a quality management team, excellent financial performance and unique IP, or a great technology platform at the heart of the business, all of which are driving its growth.
Nominees in this category will be asked to complete a submission form after nomination. The form requests key financial information and some KPIs.
2023 winner
tech businesswoman of the year award
Sponsored by:
tech businesswoman of the year award
Sponsored by
2024 shortlist
- Kerry Baldwin/IQ Capital Partners LLP
- Joanna Drake/THG plc
- Siân John MBE/NCC Group plc
- Martina King/Featurespace Limited
- Catherine Ramsdale/Pragmatic Semiconductor Limited
- Elizabeth Upton/Raspberry Pi Holdings plc
criteria
The winner of this award will be a strong role model for other women in the industry and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, CIOs and CTOs. She might be a leader of a tech company or technology function but plays a key role in championing technology and technological change within business. Her drive, energy and commitment will have been instrumental in developing new technologies or contributing to the company’s success.
Nominees in this category will be asked to complete a submission form after nomination. The form requests key financial information and some KPIs.
2023 winner
tech innovation of the year award
Sponsored by:
tech innovation of the year award
Sponsored by
2024 shortlist
- Bramble Energy Ltd
- Closed Loop Medicine Ltd
- Diaceutics plc
- Featurespace Limited
- Luminance Technologies Ltd
- Pragmatic Semiconductor Limited
criteria
Innovation is at the very heart of the tech industry. This award is given to recognise those driving and disrupting the status quo across all industries. The innovation must demonstrate a significant improvement over existing technologies in its field and must represent a major breakthrough or a substantial improvement in the application of technology. The technology must have a clear and sustainable business model, demonstrating commercial viability and a strong path to profitability and the team behind the technology must demonstrate strong leadership, expertise, and a clear vision for the future of the technology. Overall, the tech innovation award seeks to recognise and celebrate the most innovative, impactful, and scalable technology solutions that are changing the landscape of industry and society.
Nominees in this category will be asked to complete a submission form after nomination. The form requests key financial information and some KPIs.
2023 winner
tech CEO of the year award
Sponsored by:
tech CEO of the year award
Sponsored by
2024 shortlist
- TS Anil/Monzo Bank Limited
- Poppy Gustafsson/Darktrace plc
- Rene Haas/ARM Holdings plc
- Steve Hare/Sage Group plc
- Vishal Marria/Quantexa Limited
- Richard Petti/IQGeo Group plc
- Dr Eben Upton/Raspberry Pi Holdings plc
criteria
The winner will have a clear passion for the tech industry, be an inspirational role model, determined and motivated with a strong vision and flair. The winner will provide that vital ingredient that has helped with the company’s success, inspire everyone around them and will be a prominent figure in the industry.
Nominees in this category will be asked to complete a submission form after nomination. The form requests key financial information and some KPIs.
2023 winner
tech company of the year award
tech company of the year award
2024 shortlist
- Darktrace plc
- Featurespace Limited
- IFS Ltd
- Octopus Energy Ltd
- Raspberry Pi Holdings plc
- Revolut Group Holdings Ltd
- Sage Group plc
- Wireless Logic Group Ltd
criteria
Tech companies are, of course, noted for their technological achievements, but the tech company of the year will have harnessed those achievements and produced sound commercial and financial success. The tech company of the year will be a fully accountable, well-managed business that has already gained recognition from analysts and investors, but will also have outstanding long‑term growth potential, with a sound strategy in place to ensure successful delivery of its commercial advantages and build shareholder value.
Nominees in this category will be asked to complete a submission form after nomination. The form requests key financial information and some KPIs.
2023 winner
Voting panel
Meeting: Thursday 26 September 2024
Ian Restall
Ford Sinclair Ltd
(Voting panel Chairman)
Kerry Baldwin
IQ Capital
Heba Bevan OBE
UtterBerry Ltd
Harry Chathli
Gracechurch Group
Kath Easthope
Boardwave
Nezahat Gultekin
Logo Yazilim
Georgie Hazell Kivell
Augmentum
Fatima Iu
Polar Capital
Josh Keen
Heidrick & Struggles
Elona Mortimer-Zhika
IRIS Software Group
Gareth Murfitt
PwC
Tim Nixon
Teneo
Philippe Noel
Rothschild & Co
Nik Ohri
Summit Partners
Helena Prokhorenko
Highland Europe
Dr Mark Reilly
IP Group plc
Dan Ridsdale
Edison Group
Julie Simmonds
Panmure Liberum
Ellie Steel
Founders Forum Group
Ben Tickler
J.P. Morgan
Skyler Ver Bruggen
ECI
Mark Whitmore
Berenberg
Rosh Wijayarathna
J.P. Morgan
Ian Restall
Ford Sinclair Ltd(Voting panel Chairman)
Kerry Baldwin
IQ Capital
Heba Bevan OBE
UtterBerry Ltd
Harry Chathli
Gracechurch Group
Kath Easthope
Boardwave
Nezahat Gultekin
Logo Yazilim
Georgie Hazell Kivell
Augmentum
Fatima Iu
Polar Capital
Josh Keen
Heidrick & Struggles
Elona Mortimer-Zhika
IRIS Software Group
Gareth Murfitt
PwC
Tim Nixon
Teneo
Philippe Noel
Rothschild & Co
Nik Ohri
Summit Partners
Helena Prokhorenko
Highland Europe
Dr Mark Reilly
IP Group plc
Dan Ridsdale
Edison Group
Julie Simmonds
Panmure Liberum
Ellie Steel
Founders Forum Group
Ben Tickler
J.P. Morgan
Skyler Ver Bruggen
ECI
Mark Whitmore
Berenberg
Rosh Wijayarathna
J.P. Morgan
Ian Restall
Ford Sinclair Ltd(Voting panel Chairman)
Kerry Baldwin
IQ Capital
Heba Bevan OBE
UtterBerry Ltd
Harry Chathli
Gracechurch Group
Kath Easthope
Boardwave
Nezahat Gultekin
Logo Yazilim
Georgie Hazell Kivell
Augmentum
Fatima Iu
Polar Capital
Josh Keen
Heidrick & Struggles
Elona Mortimer-Zhika
IRIS Software Group
Gareth Murfitt
PwC
Tim Nixon
Teneo
Philippe Noel
Rothschild & Co
Nik Ohri
Summit Partners
Helena Prokhorenko
Highland Europe
Dr Mark Reilly
IP Group plc
Dan Ridsdale
Edison Group
Julie Simmonds
Panmure Liberum
Ellie Steel
Founders Forum Group
Ben Tickler
J.P. Morgan
Skyler Ver Bruggen
ECI
Mark Whitmore
Berenberg
Rosh Wijayarathna
J.P. Morgan
Ian Restall
Ford Sinclair Ltd
(Voting panel Chairman)
Ian is non-voting Chairman of the Voting Panel.
He is a Director of Ford Sinclair Ltd., Chairman of Design Portfolio Marketing Services Ltd. and a member of the Investor Relations Society.
Throughout his career, Ian has been involved in the quoted growth companies sector. His early career was as a stockbroker, analyst, broadcaster and financial journalist in this area and, since founding Design Portfolio in 1991, he has been active in helping many companies with their investor communication and corporate reporting requirements.
Kerry Baldwin
IQ Capital
We are delighted to welcome Kerry to the Voting Panel once again and further details will be available in due course.
Heba Bevan OBE
UtterBerry Ltd
Heba is the CEO and founder of UtterBerry Ltd. UtterBerry is a patented intelligent wireless sensor system which works on extremely low power. Fitting in the palm of the hand, UtterBerry’s miniature sensors monitor multiple variables including x-y-z displacement, employing on board artificial intelligence and wirelessly relay processed data in real time. Despite their size, they work to sub-millimetre precision, measuring multiple variables; collecting and interpreting data at the source and transmitting information in real time. UtterBerry was named as one of London's Best Hardware Companies to Work For and Buy From 2021 by BestStartupUK.
Heba is a businesswoman and electronics and computer engineer with a track record of technical innovation in the areas of wireless sensor and sensor network design. She is passionate about technology design and expanding STEM education and hi-tech manufacturing in Britain. Heba’s technical expertise includes artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, blockchain, optics, semiconductors, compound semiconductors and communication systems. She has in-depth knowledge and experience in embedded software markets, networking, wireless sensors and cyber security. She cultivates strong customer and partner relationships, enabling parties to maximise their contributions in their respective areas of knowledge.
Heba has been awarded an OBE for her contributions to technology, innovation, and STEM education 2018. In 2021 Heba received the Women of the Year Woman of the Year award for Innovation. Heba is committed to sustainability and the application of engineering to create new sustainable technologies in the electronics industry. Heba participated in COP26 and supports the government in international engagements related to sustainability.
In 2021, Heba established UtterBerry’s new Innovation and Manufacturing Hub in Leeds, taking the opportunity to research and invest in new, clean, green energy sources to power this new venture. The Hub is creating approximately 800 new jobs and apprenticeships in Leeds over the next five years, creating economic growth and adding new advanced manufacturing capabilities in the UK.
Harry Chathli
Gracechurch Group
Harry is a financial PR and media strategist. For almost 30 years, he has designed and implemented successful communications campaigns to raise the profile of public and private companies in a variety of sectors, with a particular strength in technology-led businesses. Harry has been the key PR adviser in over 30 IPOs on the London Stock Exchange (Main Market and AIM), NASDAQ and other global bourses, as well as in other transactions and corporate events such as M&A, MBOs, crisis communications, boardroom disputes and shareholder activism.
Harry’s strength in PR strategy is built on his previous experience as a management consultant advising foreign governments on their economic reform programmes.
Kath Easthope
Boardwave
Kath is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Boardwave. Since its 2022 launch, Boardwave has emerged as a mission-driven hub for the UK and European software industry, attracting over 1,500 members. With a commitment to non-profit growth and offering free membership to CEOs and founders, Boardwave provides vital resources and support to drive the region towards global leadership by 2034. Backed by more than 80 top investors and alliance partners, Boardwave champions the collective advancement of the software sector.
Prior to Boardwave, Kath led global marketing for a leading AI-marketing business which successfully exited in 2022. She has a communications background and has run some of the UK & Europe’s most successful marketing and communications firms focused on the technology sector.
Nezahat Gultekin
Logo Yazilim
Nezahat has over 20 years of experience as a strategic advisor, investor, business owner and ecosystem builder in Silicon Valley and Europe. She most recently served as the Global Head of Advisory practice at UniCredit from its foundation. Previously she was Managing Director and Head of Technology Investment Banking for EMEA at Nomura. Prior to Nomura, Nezahat served as Director at Temasek, spearheading direct TMT investments in Europe, and was on the boards of Secret Escapes and BluJay. Prior to joining Temasek, she provided independent strategic advisory services including as a Senior Advisor to Atlantic Bridge Capital in early and growth stage investments, and as a founding member of the Future Fifty Programme of Tech Nation, a Downing Street supported initiative to foster UK tech ecosystem, as well as initiating Tech Nation’s fintech efforts. Nezahat had previous technology investment banking experience with Credit Suisse and Lehman Brothers where she worked on a number of M&A, private placement and equity & debt capital transactions for various technology verticals. She currently serves as an independent NED on the board of Logo Yazılım, the largest software company in Turkey listed on ISE, Advisory Board of Emotion Network in Italy and on the voting panel of UK Tech Awards.
Nezahat has an MS in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University as a Fulbright Scholar and a BS in Industrial Engineering from Middle East Technical University, Turkey, as top of the graduating class.
Georgie Hazell Kivell
Augmentum
Georgie heads up marketing and operations at Augmentum, the UK’s only publicly listed fintech fund, which involves raising the VC’s profile with investors and the wider fintech ecosystem and supporting portfolio companies.
Georgie has worked in a number of startups across people, strategy and growth leadership positions. Following her MBA and a consultancy project with Crowdcube, Georgie moved into venture capital.
Passionate about diversity and inclusion, particularly in VC and entrepreneurship, Georgie co-leads the UK Women in VC community and is a qualified coach, working with women in tech and entrepreneurship.
Fatima Iu
Polar Capital
Fatima is a Technology fund manager at Polar Capital. She focuses primarily on US and European technology companies across different subsectors, with a thematic framework and growth bias. She holds an MSc in Chemistry from Imperial College London, and is a CFA charterholder.
Josh Keen
Heidrick & Struggles
Josh is a principal in Heidrick & Struggles’ London office and a member of the global Technology Practice. He specializes in recruiting executives and leaderships teams, partnering with transformational and growth-oriented software companies, covering venture backed pre-IPO through to large scale listed businesses.
Josh’s focus within executive search is centered on recruiting leaders for NASDAQ-listed technology companies, high growth venture-backed, and private equity-sponsored companies in the technology sector across multiple verticals, including enterprise software, SaaS, public cloud, infrastructure, data and analytics, cybersecurity, and storage.
Josh specializes in recruiting go-to-market, post-sales (customer success, support, and services), and divisional/regional CEOs within software companies globally. He is a member of the Marketing, Sales, & Strategy Officers Practice.
Before joining Heidrick & Struggles, Josh was at a boutique search consultancy advising large-cap LBO investors as well as mid-market and growth capital funds on hiring investment professionals. He has a Bachelor’s Degree, History, with honors from the University of Exeter.
Elona Mortimer-Zhika
IRIS Software Group
Elona is the Chief Executive Officer of IRIS Software Group and all of its subsidiaries. Elona is dedicated to ensuring IRIS is the most trusted provider of mission-critical software and services. She is very passionate about building winning teams that put customers at the heart of everything IRIS does, providing them with an exceptional experience and value-add solutions. IRIS was crowned Tech Company of the Year at the UK Tech Awards 2022.
Elona joined IRIS in 2016 as Chief Financial Officer and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2018, and then Chief Executive Officer in 2019. Before joining IRIS, Elona held several senior leadership roles in Big 4 and PE-backed businesses, including Mavenir, Acision, Arthur Andersen and Deloitte.
Elona graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Accounting and Economics and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales. Awards include UK Tech Awards Tech CEO of the Year 2023; Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting in the US 2022; Top 50 Women in Accounting 2021; UK Tech Awards Business Woman of the Year 2020; Global Banking and Finance Business Woman of the Year UK 2020 and the Venus National Finance Professional of the Year 2018.
Elona is passionate about tech, education and diversity. Born in communist Albania, Elona won a scholarship at the age of 16 to attend an international college in Wales alongside students from over 100 different countries. This life changing experience has driven her to focus on making a high social impact and providing opportunities to those from under-privileged and under-represented backgrounds. She is a Trustee of Hg foundation, a charity focused on removing barriers to education and skills in technology, and is a Board Director of Boardwave, the networking platform for European Software leaders.
Gareth Murfitt
PwC
Gareth is PwC’s UK Technology Industry Leader. He is passionate about supporting UK Tech and Software companies grow and thrive. Gareth has enjoyed over 20 years' experience in the sector with PwC and works with a mixture of early stage, PE backed and listed clients. Gareth also has significant experience in supporting his clients with deals and IPOs, in both the UK and US markets.
Tim Nixon
Teneo
Tim Nixon is the CEO of Teneo’s global Management Consulting division as well as serving as the leader of the Global Technology Strategy and Transformation practice.
Tim has 20+ years’ experience of strategy & transaction advisory in management consulting and senior industry roles; living and working across the UK, India, Southeast Asia and the US.
Tim’s day-to-day client focus is advising leading technology & software firms and industry investors on critical issues, including strategy development, top-line growth, performance improvement and M&A. He has deep expertise in software growth strategy, cloud transformation, pricing & packaging for technology offerings and Commercial Due Diligence.
Tim also leads Teneo’s functional consulting expertise on topics such as near-/offshoring, cost base restructuring, PMI, Target Operating Model redesign and complex programme delivery.
He was previously a Partner with Credo, a boutique strategy consulting firm in London, which was founded in 1999 and acquired by Teneo in 2017.
Philippe Noel
Rothschild & Co
Philippe is a Managing Director covering software and services companies across Europe. He joined Rothschild & Co in 2023 after having begun his career at Lazard and previously ran the software team at Torch Partners. He has extensive experience across all types of transactions including acquisitions, disposals, public and private M&A, IPOs, and debt advisory mandates. Rothschild & Co is one of the leading global financial advisers, providing independent, expert advice on many high profile transactions.
He retains a particular interest in ESG after studying climate change at University. He graduated from Durham University in 2006 with a first-class honours degree.
Nik Ohri
Summit Partners
Nik first joined Summit in 2017. Today, as a Vice President, he focuses primarily on the technology sector in Europe. Nik’s investment experience includes Akeneo, Odoo, OneStock SAS, Red Points and TradingHub.
Prior to Summit, Nik worked as an Investment Banking Analyst in the Leveraged Finance Group at Goldman Sachs. He holds a BS, with first class honors, in economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Nik is a co-founder and advisory board member at Kickstart Global, a non-profit organization focused on educating and mentoring student entrepreneurs.
Helena Prokhorenko
Highland Europe
Helena is a Principal at Highland Europe, a $3bn+ AuM growth equity fund focused on backing European-rooted technology entrepreneurs. Helena currently works with ME+EM, Modulr, Huel, Zwift, Plentific, and Meditopia, and previously worked with Wolt (acquired by Doordash). Prior to joining Highland in 2016, Helena was part of the Healthcare Investment Banking team at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Helena is a graduate of the University of Oxford (MBiochem) and London Business School (MSc Management).
Dr Mark Reilly
IP Group plc
Mark is Head of the IP Group plc Technology business, running a £350m portfolio of early-stage, “Deep Tech” companies. The portfolio includes some of the UK’s most exciting emerging technology start-ups, such as Featurespace, Oxbotica, and Garrison Cybersecurity. He led the first investments into First Light Fusion, which recently achieved nuclear fusion, and the ground-breaking technology company Ultraleap. He was also on the board of Wave Optics when it was sold to Snap Inc in one of Europe’s biggest ever venture-backed Deeptech exits. Mark has almost 15 years’ experience as a Board Director of early-stage technology companies and has overseen well over 100 private and public company equity investments. He holds a PhD in Engineering from the University of Cambridge, UK.
Dan Ridsdale
Edison Group
Dan is the head of Edison’s technology team leading Edison's coverage of technology companies across the UK, Europe, US and Asia Pacific. He has over 25 years’ experience covering the technology and telecoms industries. Prior to Edison, worked in a variety of equity research and corporate finance roles at firms including Singer Capital Markets, Teathers, Bridgewell, RW Baird and Nomura. Before this he advised on emerging trends in technology as a market analyst at Ovum, having started his career in the telecommunications software industry.
Before this he advised on emerging trends in technology as a market analyst at Ovum, having started his career in the telecommunications software industry.
Julie Simmonds
Panmure Liberum
Julie has 25 years of experience in Equity Research, covering both UK and continental European companies across a wide range of healthcare subsectors including healthcare services, biotechnology and digital health. She joined Panmure Gordon in November 2015 from Canaccord Genuity. She was No.1 Extel rated 2018 and rated Analyst of the Year 2022 by the Small Cap Network Awards. She is also a panel member for NIHR i4i (invention for innovation), assessing early-stage medical technologies. Julie has a PhD in Microbiology from University of Kent.
Ellie Steel
Founders Forum Group
Ellie is Group Operations Director and plays a pivotal role in driving the growth of Founders Forum Group, a global community supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of their journeys via networking and events, services, investment, philanthropy, and insights. Ellie scopes and spearheads new ventures and strategic projects for the organisation and led its acquisition of Tech Nation in 2023. Ellie also oversees the smooth running of the group's day-to-day operations, collaboration across its network of businesses, and has oversight of the management and operations for Tech Nation. Before joining FFG, Ellie held various strategic roles at Informa PLC.
Ben Tickler
J.P. Morgan
Ben is an Executive Director in J.P. Morgan’s Innovation Economy Team. Ben began his career on the RBS graduate scheme witnessing the full force of the 2008 global credit crisis. After working across Retail, Business, Commercial and Corporate he spent two years at Santander where they were actively trying to double the SME market share in the UK.
An opportunity then presented to move into the world of tech and supporting early-stage high growth companies. He moved to Silicon Valley Bank’s UK Office in 2017 as employee number 120. Over the next seven years he went from VP to MD, the UK office grew to 400 and his final role was Head of Enterprise Software for EMEA (a relationship management and sales team).
Ben Joined J.P. Morgan in July 2024 as an Executive Director, Head of Venture UK within the fast-growing Innovation Economy team. His team support Series A+ tech companies with treasury, banking and debt solutions whilst connecting them to the wider JPM platform.
Skyler Ver Bruggen
ECI
Skyler is responsible for portfolio M&A at ECI, working alongside management teams to help with making acquisitions. That means supporting those teams in anything from refining strategy and sourcing targets to building an M&A function inhouse. Skyler is also a member of the ESG committee, where she enjoys working with our annual charity partner on some of the fundraising initiatives.
In her role in the Origination Team, Skyler also gets to know founders and management teams who may one day chose to partner with ECI, to help them understand what that partnership could bring to their business.
Skyler joined ECI in 2019 after three years in mid-market private equity and two years in private equity advisory and executive search. She graduated with a degree in English Language and Literature from Oxford University.
Mark Whitmore
Berenberg
We are delighted to welcome Mark Whitmore to the Voting Panel. Further details will be available in due course.
Rosh Wijayarathna
J.P. Morgan
Rosh leads J.P. Morgan’s UK & Ireland’s Innovation Economy business – the Innovation Economy team focuses on supporting companies ranging from Series A through to Private Equity and PLCs across four key verticals: technology, life science, disruptive commerce and climate tech. Rosh has spent over 20 years working with high growth companies and previous to joining J.P. Morgan, started and led Silicon Valley Bank’s Corporate Banking practice. Rosh loves working with Founders and CEOs and helping scale their businesses – he has been responsible for providing the UK innovation companies with over $2bn capital. Outside of work, Rosh is a keen martial artist and cycles regularly (when he’s not shuttling his two young daughters to gymnastics, cub scouts and football).
The event
Sponsorship
Sponsorship opportunities sometimes become available including sponsorship of an individual award, sponsorship of the official drinks reception or sponsorship of the menu. Sponsorship opportunities are, by their very nature, limited. Costs and availability on request.
Hosting a table
Reservations will be available for tables of ten people. Numbers are strictly limited and reservations are taken on a first come, first served basis.
Advertising
Advertising in the digital brochure is welcomed and enables your key messages to reach a highly targeted audience. The digital event brochure is available to download on the night and contains details of the all nominees, the programme for the night and the menu. Uniquely, it also contains the names of all attendees, in alphabetical and table order. Thus it is widely used as a reference post event for up to a year afterwards.
Bespoke sponsorship opportunities
We offer a range of bespoke sponsorship packages, tailor made to suit your marketing objectives and budget. Further information on request.
Enquiries
For all enquiries relating to the UK tech awards, please do get in touch with jo.thomas@ford-sinclair.co.uk.
Key details for guests
Date
Thursday 14 November 2024
Venue
Hotel InterContinental
One Hamilton Place
Park Lane
London W1J 7QY
Start time
6.00 p.m. – drinks reception
7.30 p.m. – dinner
12.00 midnight – carriages
Dress code
Black tie
Charity collection
A charity collection will be taken up during the course of the evening and the UK tech awards team will be available throughout to accept contactless donations. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Accommodation
Hotel InterContinental, London, W1
A special rate of £350 per room per night inclusive of VAT and English breakfast has been secured for the night of 14 November 2024, subject to availability.
Please find below the link to book; the cut-off date is 14 October 2024.
book a room
Location
Latest media
Charity
In 2023, the UK tech awards was delighted to support two charities, BCCS and Tech She Can. The total amount raised, which was split equally between these charities, was:
£14,383
BCCS provides highly professional and well‑supported Social Workers and Counsellors to help children and young people who are in need.
BCCS works in the East End of London and Essex with children, young people and their families and schools to help them overcome emotional difficulties, behavioural problems and their root causes. The prime focus of the work is to provide an early intervention service to enable them to address difficulties that may be impeding their educational, social and emotional development.
Tech She Can is a charity on a mission to change the ratio of women in tech. Our vision is for women to be equal members in creating and developing the new technology businesses, products, and services that shape our world, ensuring technology works for all.
Tech She Can works together with industry, government, and schools to improve the ratio of women in technology roles by enriching education and influencing change.