DigitalAgenda announces Impact Awards winners 2020

Written by Lucy Wakeford, Head of Online, DigitalAgenda

The 4th Annual DigitalAgenda Impact Awards took place virtually last week, and once again highlighted the latest champions of Tech for Good across the UK.

The DigitalAgenda Impact Awards celebrate technological innovations that improve people’s lives and the world around us. 

Now in their fourth year, the awards were open to any UK-operating business, government department or non-profit using digital products or services for positive social impact. The 36 finalists were chosen out of 400 nominees from across the UK who are leading the way in digital transformation in all sectors.

impact awards virtual event

The virtual event was held over three days, with one awards theme (People, Society and Business) per day. The event took place in the #DigiLounge, a visual and dynamic online space that allowed attendees and finalists to network freely as well as listen to presentations from the main stage. Speakers included: Minister of State for Digital and Culture, Caroline Dineage MP; Professor Sue Black OBE, Professor of Computer Science and Technology Evangelist at Durham University; and Adam Micklethwaite, Head of Digital Inclusion at Good Things Foundation.

Sponsors included headline sponsor Nominet, as well as BCS, HSBC, Bates Wells and Lloyds Banking Group.

Winners this year included: digital identity specialists Yoti in the Business Transformation Category; accessibility proponents Content Design London in the Diversity Category; coding skills initiative TechUP Women in the Employment & Skills Category; and Anthony Impey MBE in the inaugural Tech for Good Entrepreneur category. There is a full list of winners below.

In addition, there were three People’s Choice Awards – one per awards day. The prizes – based on almost 5,000 public votes – went to Health category finalists Xploro, Tech for Good Entrepreneur category finalist Martin Percy; and Sharing Economy finalists Neighbourly.

impact awards virtual event

DigitalAgenda Director Robin Knowles said “What makes this event particularly exciting is that it’s more than just another awards ceremony. The finalists themselves don’t simply receive an award. Instead, today marks the start of a year of support during which the finalists receive access to a series of seminars exploring key areas including: tech solutions; securing talent; cyber security; and investment advice.”

Previous winners include industry giants such as: NHS 111, Founders4Schools, Annika Small and Bethnal Green Ventures.

The 300 nominees went through two rounds of judging: first, a judging panel of industry experts shortlisted the entrants to three finalists in each category. Then, a separate judging panel met each of the finalists at a ‘pitch-style’ event and decided on the ultimate winners.

Our 12 Category Winners were:

Category Category Winner
Diversity Content Design London
Education CognAssist
Employment & Skills TechUP Women
Health Vinehealth
Connected Cities Topolytics
Social Transformation You Matter – ‘Realising it’s abuse’ by the Haven Wolverhampton
Sustainable Living Aceleron
Tech for Good Entrepreneur Anthony Impey MBE
Financial Inclusion Signly
Sharing Economy School Space
Impact Investor Richard Brass
Business Transformation Yoti

 

Special Category Winners

People’s Choice Award: People Xploro
People’s Choice Award: Society Martin Percy
People’s Choice Award: Business Neighbourly

 

This year’s Judges were: 

Russell Haworth, Nominet

Mike Bracken, Public Digital

Justin Cooke, Unicef

Jacqueline de Rojas CBE, Digital Leaders

Priya Guha, Merian Ventures

Caroline Hyde, Allia Future Business Centre

Daniel Korski CBE, Public

Paul Miller OBE, Bethnal Green Ventures

Anna O’Brien, HSBC UK Bank plc

Umesh Pandya

Kate Sandle, B Lab UK

Moira Sinclair, Paul Hamlyn Foundation

Annika Small OBE, CAST

Leigh Smyth, Tech Talent Charter

Mark Tasker, Bates Wells

Adam Thilthorpe, BCS

Ben Towers

Jemma Waters, Lloyds Banking Group

Nigel Watson, Northumbrian Water Group

 


 

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