Award Categories

Outstanding Leader of the Year

Sponsored By
Register to Nominate
Sponsor this Category
Celebrating the organisations, teams and individuals using technology to create a positive and lasting impact on society. This category recognises initiatives that address social, environmental or community challenges through innovative digital solutions, delivering measurable outcomes and meaningful change.
Who can Nominate?
Submissions are open across three distinct entry systems
Individuals
Visionary changemakers personally driving technology forward.
Teams
Collaborative units and project groups achieving collective success.
Individuals
Forward-thinking businesses and non-profits scaling real-world impact.
Who can Nominate?
Individuals
Colleagues
Teams
Organisations

Award Category Criteria

Judges will be looking for leaders who demonstrate outstanding vision, measurable impact and the ability to inspire people while driving innovation, business success and positive change.

Judges will be looking for:

Visionary leadership

A clear vision that has helped shape strategy, inspire teams and deliver meaningful organisational or industry-wide progress.

Business and organisational impact

Evidence of measurable success through business growth, transformation, innovation, operational improvement or customer outcomes.

People-first leadership

A commitment to developing, empowering and supporting people, creating an inclusive culture where individuals and teams can thrive.

Innovation and change

Demonstrated ability to lead organisations through change, embrace emerging technologies and encourage new ways of thinking.

Integrity and influence

Leadership built on trust, collaboration and authenticity, with evidence of positively influencing colleagues, customers, partners or the wider technology community.

Lasting legacy

Evidence that their leadership has created sustainable value, strengthened their organisation or inspired positive change across the technology ecosystem.

Hear from our previous winner

Successful nominations should

  • Explain the nominee's leadership role and the challenges or opportunities they have addressed.
  • Demonstrate measurable business, organisational or community outcomes achieved under their leadership.
  • Highlight examples of how they have inspired, developed or empowered people and teams.
  • Include evidence of innovation, transformation or strategic leadership that has delivered lasting impact.
  • Support the nomination with testimonials, measurable results, case studies or examples of wider industry influence.

Why nominate?

Celebrate exceptional leadership

Recognise an individual whose vision, leadership and commitment have made a lasting difference.

Raise your organisation's profile

Showcase the leadership helping to shape the future of technology and business.

Amplify your brand

Benefit from visibility across the Digital Revolution Awards website, social channels and awards campaign.

Celebrate your people

Recognise the leaders who inspire teams, build cultures and drive meaningful success.

Build industry credibility

Gain independent recognition for leadership that delivers measurable business and people outcomes.

Inspire the next generation

Share a leadership story that encourages others to innovate, collaborate and lead with purpose.

Look back at our previous Shortlists

2024

Hena Naranbhai
Barclays

Jimmi Jakobsen
Carbon & Finch

Amandine Flachs
Flachs Consulting

Emma Wright
Harbottle

Elaine Forth
Hyphen8

Deji Emmanuel
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

Beckie Taylor
TechReturners

Belinda Parmar OBE
The Empathy Business

Winner
Emma Wright
Harbottle

2025

Alison Parkes
EAL

Colin Crow
Nexer

Hugh Valentine
Valto

Tim Moger
Christians Against Poverty

Val Clarke
4PS Construction Solutions

Winner
Tim Moger
Christians Against Poverty

2026

  • Elaine Forth - Hyphen8
  • Jake Stevens - Ziipline
  • Neil Stephenson - North Lincolnshire Council
  • Peter Brown MBE - PwC UK
  • Professor Victor Chang - Aston University and Orbro
  • Tiina Stephens - Capita
Winner
Neil Stephenson
North Lincolnshire Council

Look back at our previous Shortlists

2024

The Blue Marine Foundation

Care Fertility

Cognizant

DigPacks

Hitachi

Make a Wish

2025

Durham Police

Hyphen8

Power 365

Praveen Tomar
UK Civil Services (Ofgem)

SE Controls

Tech for Good Alliance

2026

Chapter One UK

Grassroots Suicide Prevention

Humberside / Thames Valley / Isle-of-Wight Police & Infomentum

PwC Tech for Good Programme

Valorem Reply & Aberdeen City Council

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Nominations Open on
1st September

The Digital Revolution Awards celebrate the trailblazers shaping the future of technology.

Celebrate the pioneers in tech by nominating, setting new standards, and driving the digital sector forward. Explore why you should enter and start planning your submissions ahead of the launch.
Register to Nominate

Need help with your nomination?

Explore how entries are assessed, or get practical advice to help you write a clear, compelling submission.

Understand the judging process

See how nominations are reviewed, scored and selected by our independent panel of industry experts.
View the judging process

Write a strong nomination

Get practical tips on what to include, how to demonstrate impact and how to make your entry stand out.
Read the nomination guide