We can reveal some of the industry experts joining the judging panel at the Prolific North Tech Awards 2024.
The final deadline for entries is 20 September where we’ll be gearing up for a fresh year of celebrating all the top projects, teams, companies and individuals contributing to the success of the thriving tech sectors across Scotland and the North of England.
An independent panel of industry leaders will take part in a fair and transparent two-step judging process for these awards, where they will compile the shortlist, and ultimately decide the winners.
From experts in the investment world to successful tech entrepreneurs, check out some of the judges for 2024 below.
Al Azein, Membership engagement manager, Dynamo North East
In his role as membership engagement manager at Dynamo North East, a leading not-for-profit tech sector membership organisation with over 100 company members, Al Azein currently supports the region’s growth by facilitating connections that lead to innovation and success and is an enthusiastic advocate for the tech sector across the North East.
Anna Heyes, CEO, Active Profile
Anna is founder of the initiative Tech Climbers and CEO at Active Profile, one of the region’s fastest-growing integrated communications agencies.
As a Computer Science graduate and supporter of regional tech scale up communities, Anna transitioned into the world of marketing and communications 20 years ago and has advised many tech scale ups, investors and multiple ecosystem support programmes over this time on their go to market communications strategies.
Austin Sheppard, Senior vice president – Trips business unit, Booking.com
Austin Sheppard is senior vice president at Booking.com’s Trips division, which handles “everything but the stay” – flights, rental cars, rides, packages, attractions, insurance and more. He joined Booking.com in May 2021, after three years with online ticket exchange platform StubHub, where he was initially global head of engineering and technical operations before becoming chief technology officer in April 2020.
He has also held software development and engineering roles across North America, Asia and Europe during a career spanning more than 20 years.
Caroline White, Community Engagement Manager, MediaCity Immersive Technology Innovation Hub
Caroline has over 20 years in the creative sector, specialising in emerging creative technologies and advocating for creative industries in the North of England. She has developed various communities as part of the UK Creative Cluster programme, MediaCity Immersive Technology Innovation Hub and the Innovate UK Immersive Tech Network, and is a member of Liverpool’s games board and a former mentor at Digital Catapult.
David Levine, Principal, Manchester Angels
David is a serial entrepreneur in the technology sector and Principal at Manchester Angels; a technology investment angel network in partnership with leading global tech advisory GP Bullhound and commercial property specialist Bruntwood. As founder and ex CEO of visual commerce business DigitalBridge (now Fixtuur), he pioneered the use of AI in consumer-facing design solutions concluding deals with some of the world’s largest DIY retailers
He is now an advisor and NED for several technology startups/scaleups and has been Entrepreneur in Residence at a number of accelerator programmes.
David Turner, Fractional CTO and Entrepreneur in Residence, Turing Innovation Catalyst AI Accelerator
David is a Fractional CTO and Entrepreneur in Residence for the Turing Innovation Catalyst AI Accelerator. He’s an expert product and engineering leader, specialised in building and scaling venture-backed businesses from seed to exit. With over 25 years experience creating world-changing technology, he’s passionate about building the organisations that bring it to life. He works with founders and executive teams to define and implement technology strategies for transformation and growth.
Deb Hetherington, Head of Innovation Services – North, Bruntwood SciTech
Deb Hetherington is an award-winning facilitator of business support and growth consultancy with over 10 years’ experience supporting start-up and scaling businesses. As head of innovation for Bruntwood SciTech in Leeds, she oversees the design and delivery of innovation services and business support to a wide range of disruptive digital and tech startups and scale ups at the city’s ‘home of tech’ Platform, including its dedicated tech hub.
Kai Ojo, CEO UK&I, Planisware
Kai is a tech leader with over 20 years’ experience working in start-ups, mid-sized and enterprise organisations delivering award winning solutions to customers in multiple sectors. His experience includes management of all customer-facing delivery teams, management of product development teams, delivery of strategic pre-sales, sales/account management engagements as well as general operational running of the business.
Martin SFP Bryant, Founder, PreSeed Now
Martin SFP Bryant is the founder of UK start-up newsletter PreSeed Now and technology and media consultancy Big Revolution. He also edits the Geekout social media industry newsletter with Matt Navarra. He was previously editor-in-chief of international technology publication The Next Web, and community editor at Tech North, where he shone a light on the stories of startups and entrepreneurs in the North of England.
Naomi Timperley, Co-founder, Tech North Advocates & We are GST Ltd
Naomi is an experienced growth and innovation consultant and has extensive experience working with start-ups & growth businesses particularly in the tech, digital & creative sectors. She has mentored hundreds of businesses over the last 10 years and also sits on the board of charity Digital Inc, VocalEyes CIC and Social Enterprise PIE.
Ngozi Nneke, Lecturer in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI), UA92
Ngozi Nneke is a passionate and dedicated lecturer in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) at University Academy 92 (UA92), her passion for educating the next generation of tech innovators is palpable both in and out of the classroom. Beyond academia, Ngozi is involved in cutting-edge research as an AI and Explainable AI researcher, exploring avenues to make Artificial Intelligence more transparent and accessible.
Marlon Hope, Product director, Cisiv
Marlon is an experienced digital leader with 20 years’ experience in positioning products, growing teams and maximising customers uptake of digital solutions. He has operated across a number of industry sectors including healthcare, corporate banking and digital security.
Michelle Mullany, Head of deal origination, MHA
Michelle Mullany is Head of deal origination at MHA Corporate Finance, having spent 20 years at one of the Big 4 accounting firms. Her focus is to build relationships with entrepreneurs, owner-managed and family owned businesses who need support with raising finance, acquisitions and business sales to trade and Private Equity.
Rory Southworth, Investment ecosystem manager, FHundED
Rory Southworth is the Investment ecosystem manager for Lancashire, focused on creating the best environment for growth and equity investment in the region. In his role as the lead for FHundED, Rory collaborates with Northern Venture Capital Funds and Banks to support businesses by offering education on investment readiness, creating pitch decks, and conducting pitch practices.
Parminder Singh, SME growth manager, West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Parminder is a business support professional in Leeds working with SMEs to help them to understand and access support to innovate, be more productive and build greener businesses. He was nominated for an Enterprise Nation Top Advisor Award and has business experience having set up his own business delivering staff training to private and public sector organisations and as a property investor.
You can check out the full list of judges and their experience here.
Take a look at all of the categories for 2024’s Tech Awards here and make sure you enter before the final deadline on 20 September . Good luck!
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