About
The Digital Health Awards shine a spotlight on the best and brightest digital leaders shaping the future of healthcare within the NHS. Our awards celebrate innovation, dedication, and excellence across the healthcare landscape, recognising and celebrating the remarkable achievements and contributions of individuals and teams who are driving transformation through digital technologies.
Awards winners
We are delighted to announce our 2025 Digital Health Awards winners!
CCIO of the Year
Penny Kechagioglou, Chief Clinical Information Officer, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
A passionate and influential digital leader, Penny has amplified the voice of clinicians across national platforms, mentored future digital leaders, and driven innovation through research, policy, and collaboration. From leading EPR transformation at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust to shaping national frameworks, Penny exemplifies impact, mentorship, and strategic leadership in digital health.
CIO of the Year
Amy Freeman, Chief Digital Information Officer, University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
Amy’s exceptional leadership has helped shape the digital future of the NHS, from influencing national policy and pioneering AI-driven innovation to championing regional collaboration and digital skills development. Amy’s work has had a transformative impact at every level, from the front line to the boardroom. Her commitment to patient-centred care, sustainable funding, and the development of the next generation of digital leaders truly sets her apart.
CNIO of the Year
Misbah Mahmood, Chief X Information Officer and Clinical Safety Officer, Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust
The first ever midwife to win this award, Misbah is a true pioneer whose leadership has redefined the role of midwifery in digital transformation. From national recognition and influencing global strategy to integrating maternity and mental health care through digital innovation, she has broken barriers and changed the narrative. Her compassionate, inclusive approach ensures that women, families, and underrepresented voices are heard at every level. Misbah is a visionary leader, advocate, trailblazer.
CSO of the Year
Kaye Reynolds, Lead Clinical Safety Officer, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust
Kaye’s dedication, leadership, and passion has made a lasting impact both regionally and nationally. From founding a thriving national network of Clinical Safety Officers to training the next generation and mentoring with care and expertise, Kaye has elevated the profile of clinical safety in the digital age. Her academic drive, practical leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence make her a standout Clinical Safety Officer and a essential voice in shaping the future of safe, digital healthcare.
Rising Star
Tom Micklewright, Clinical Lead for Digital Transformation in Primary Care, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board
Tom’s outstanding leadership as Clinical Lead for Digital Transformation in Primary Care has brought real, measurable change across Cheshire and Merseyside. From reshaping heart failure pathways and championing clinical safety standards to mentoring future leaders and driving national conversations on AI in General Practice, Tom’s work bridges innovation with impact. His commitment to patient empowerment and safe, effective digital transformation in primary care truly sets him apart.
Finalists
CCIO of the Year
- Jennifer Cross, Medical Director, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
- Jasmeen Islam, Chief Clinical Information Officer, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
CIO of the Year
- Sian Clark, Chief Digital Information Officer, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Lee Rickles, Chief Information Officer, Director & Deputy, SIRO Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust
CNIO of the Year
- Stacey Hatton, Chief Nursing Information Officer, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
- Sam Neville, Associate Director of Clinical Applications, Chief Nursing Information Officer & Clinical Safety Officer, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
CSO of the Year
- Sharon O’Connor, Chief Nursing Information Officer, Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board
- Stephen Roche, Programme Lead: Digital Clinical Safety Service, and CSO, NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit
Rising Star
- Alice Butler, Specialist, Digital Midwife, Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Grace Murray, Specialist, Digital Midwife, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Categories
We proudly present a range of categories that highlight the diverse talents and expertise within the industry which are voted for by the Digital Health Networks Advisory Panel and Council members. These are revised each year.
- CCIO of the Year
- CIO of the Year
- CNIO of the Year
- Team of the Year
- Rising Star
Our judges look for the following in each category:
CCIO of the Year:
This award recognises the Chief Clinical Information Officer who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision in harnessing digital solutions to improve patient care, streamline processes, and enhance clinical outcomes.
CIO of the Year:
Acknowledging the pivotal role of the Chief Information Officer, this award celebrates the individual who has displayed outstanding strategic thinking, innovation, and execution in leveraging technology to advance healthcare delivery and organisational goals.
CNIO of the Year:
For the Chief Nursing Information Officer who has exhibited exemplary leadership and innovation in integrating nursing practice with information management and technology, ultimately enhancing patient care and nursing workflows.
Team of the Year:
This accolade honours the collaborative efforts of a team that has achieved remarkable success in implementing digital initiatives, fostering innovation, and delivering tangible benefits to patients, clinicians, and healthcare organisations.
Rising Star:
Celebrating emerging talent and future leaders in digital health, this award recognises an individual who has made significant contributions early in their career, demonstrating exceptional promise, creativity, and dedication to driving positive change.
Entry Criteria
Submissions for the Digital Health Networks Awards can be made by an individual/team nominating themselves or a colleague/colleagues.
- Be a member of the Digital Health Networks.
- Be a CCIO, CIO, CNIO, future digital leader or a team currently working in or using technology in your daily work within digital health and social care.
- Work for the NHS, public sector, non-for-profit or third sector providers, in charitable sectors, or as an academic or researcher.
- Demonstrate how the nominee meets the category criteria using evidence to support reasons.
Previous winners
2024 winners:
- CCIO of the Year – Ramandeep Kaur, Group Chief Clinical Information Officer, University Hospitals of Northamptonshire
- CIO of the Year – Natasha Chare, Group Chief Digital Information Officer, University Hospitals of Northamptonshire
- CNIO of the Year – Simon Noel, CNIO, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Outstanding Team – The Great North Care Record (GNCR)
- Rising Star – Tosin Akinlabi, Clinical Safety Officer, University Hospitals of Northamptonshire
2022 winners:
- Digital CEO of the Year – Dr Richard Jenkins, CEO at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust
- Future Digital Leader of the Year – Sarah Hart, Urology Speciality Doctor at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay
- CCIO of the Year – Dr Peter Thomas, CCIO at
Moorfields Eye Hospital - CIO of the Year – Diarmaid Crean, Chief Digital & Technology Officer at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
- CNIO of the Year – Prof Louise Hicks, CNIO at Barts Health NHS Trust
- Rising Star in Digital Nursing – Rob Ratcliffe, Clinical Lead for District Nursing at
Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
2021 winners:
- Digital CEO of the Year – Helen Thomas, CEO at Digital Health and Care Wales
- Future Digital Leader of the Year – Aasha Cowey, strategic transformation lead at Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- CCIO of the Year – Sid Singh, CCIO and consultant urologist at George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust
- CIO of the Year– Paul Charnley, digital lead at Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership
- CNIO of the Year – Emily Wells, CNIO at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals Trust
2019 winners:
- CIO of the Year – Mandy Griffin, CIO and Managing Director, The Health Informatics Service, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
- CCIO of the Year – Gareth Thomas, Group CCIO, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
- CNIO of the Year – Natasha Phillips, CNIO University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Future Digital Leader of the Year – Nicola Henderson, NHS Forth Valley
- Team of the Year – Informatics Department, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Outstanding contribution award – Marianne Williams, Specialist Gastroenterology Community Dietitian, Somerset Partnership NHS FT
- Lifetime achievement award – Dr Charles Gutteridge. CCIO, Barts Health NHS Trust
2018 winners:
- CCIO of the Year – Dr Mark Westwood, CCIO at North Tyneside CCG and primary care lead for Great North Care Record.
- CIO of the Year – Phillipa Winter, CIO at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
- CNIO of the Year – Jackie Murphy, interim chief nurse at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
- Outstanding Contribution to the Profession – Andy Kinnear, director of digital transformation at NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit
- Future Digital Leader – Ella Worsdale, head of information at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
- Team of the Year – Scottish National Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals Digital Network