Digital & AI Excellence Awards

The 2025 Awards Are Coming Soon - Stay Tuned!

2024 Awards Winners

Joel Milner-1
DATA CITIZEN APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
 
Joel Milner
ADHD Screener at Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
Louise Parkinson-1
DATA ANALYST APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
 
Louise Parkinson
Data Business Analyst at Pets at Home
Aman Birring-1
AI & DATA SCIENCE APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
 
Aman Birring
Data Scientist at Superdrug Stores
Rishi Ramessur-1
FUTURE DIGITAL LEADER OF THE YEAR
 
Rishi Ramessur
Digital and Clinical AI Fellow / Ophthalmology Resident at Moorfields Eye Hospitals
David Kimani-1
REVOLUTIONISING BUSINESS THROUGH DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
 
David Kimani
Life Cycle Engineer at Rolls-Royce Plc
Teniola Salisu-1
DATA FOR SOCIAL GOOD
 
Teniola Salisu
Senior Data Analyst at MedShr
Rishi Ramessur-1
DATA SAVES LIVES
 
Rishi Ramessur
Digital and Clinical AI Fellow / Ophthalmology Resident at Moorfields Eye Hospitals
Robert Franklin-1-1
DATA-DRIVEN RETAIL SOLUTIONS
 
Robert Franklin
Senior Data Scientist at Walgreens Boots Alliance
Martyn Staddon-1
KNOWLEDGE BASE CONTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR
 
Martyn Staddon
Patient & Staff Experience Data Insight Manager at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust

 

We are incredibly excited to be able to announce the results of the 2024 Cambridge Spark Digital & AI Excellence Awards. The data talent that is emerging is truly outstanding and the data projects that are underway are nothing short of inspiring. 

Our nominees have showcased impressive data skills and are driving major impact throughout not only their organisations but their wider communities too.

Our winners’ achievements are a tribute to their steadfast dedication and hard work. Read about this year’s winners!

2025 Awards will be announced in the Autumn...

Celebration Event 1

10th January

Nominations closed

12th February

Shortlist Announced

4th March

Winners Announced

22nd March

Celebration Event

The Digital & AI Excellence Awards recognise outstanding learners, alumni, clients and industry professionals, who have made a difference in their field, demonstrated excellence in their approach to learning and made a positive impact with digital & AI in their careers and organisations in the past year.

In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, these awards recognise the pioneers and trailblazers who have harnessed the power of digital and AI as catalysts for change. They represent individuals and organisations that have not merely kept pace but emerged as influential leaders, shaping the trajectory of their professions and industries. Through their commitment to excellence, their ability to drive meaningful change, and their innovative contributions, they stand as exemplars of what can be achieved through dedication to learning and the strategic application of digital and AI prowess.

Awards Judges

Evie Dineva-1
Evie Dineva
Group Head of Data Engineering & Data Science at Gymshark
Fiona James-1
Fiona James
Chief Data Officer and Director, Data Growth and Operations at the Office For National Statistics
Jonathan Wagstaff-1
Jonathan Wagstaff
Director of Market Intelligence at DCC Technology
Leigh Shlomovich-1
Leigh Shlomovich
Senior Data Scientist at Securonix
Leon Gordon-1
Leon Gordon
Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Onyx Data
McKinley Hyden-1
McKinley Muir Hyden
Director of Data Value and Strategy at Financial Times
Miha Zgubic-1
Miha Zgubic
Research Engineer at Google DeepMind
Ming Tang-1
Ming Tang
Chief Data and Analytics Officer at NHS England
Monica Jones-1
Monica Jones
Chief Data Officer at the University of Leeds
Richard Davis-2
Richard Davis
Chief Data Officer at Ofcom
Sahan Bulathwela-1
Sahan Bulathwela
Lecturer at University College London
Suhkmeet Panesar-1
Suhkmeet Panesar
Chief Health Officer at Monstarlab

Who can be nominated for an award?

Each award has its specific requirements for nomination, but in general, the below individuals are eligible to enter:

  • Live learners on Cambridge Spark programmes

  • Achievers/Alumni of Cambridge Spark

  • Digital & AI Industry professionals  

Who can nominate an individual?

Unless otherwise stated for a particular category, entries can be submitted by:

  • Individuals nominating themselves

  • Industry professionals nominating others

What is required?

A nomination needs to be submitted through the official submission form and explain in up to 500 words (maximum):

  • How the nominated individuals meet the criteria, including quantifiable metrics where possible

  • Why they should win the award

An individual can be nominated for multiple awards. Previous nominees are welcome to enter.

To keep the awards selection fair and objective, names will be omitted from the applications and members of the judging panel are not allowed to vote in categories if there is a potential conflict of interest.

I can’t tell you how much this award helped me in terms of confidence and encouragement. I strongly recommend putting someone forward, even that first act of nominating them can have a propounding impact on their confidence."

Elle Neal, Data Scientist at BPA Quality
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