This year’s Dynamites shortlist revealed

The shortlist for the Dynamites 20, the region’s IT and technology awards, has been revealed.

The awards, organised by North East tech network Dynamo and sponsored by Home Group, are now in its seventh year.

The Dynamites Awards shine a spotlight on successful regional tech companies, organisations and departments and recognise the talent within the North East digital/IT sector.

Many of the region’s leading IT and technology companies have made it on to the shortlist, as well as some of the region’s largest businesses, which have critical and innovative IT departments. The shortlist reflects some of the important work undertaken by the region’s tech companies in the fight against COVID.

Prof Alastair Irons, academic dean, University of Sunderland, and chair of this year’s judging panel, said: “Much of the region’s tech talent has been involved in COVID work so it’s no surprise that our shortlist recognises the vital work they’re doing.

“Once again we were blown away by the strength and depth of entries – COVID related and otherwise. Judging was really tough, with a large and exceptionally impressive array of entries. The awards are a reminder that our tech sector is blessed with talent and innovation in abundance.”

This year’s awards ceremony will take place online on Wednesday, October 14, and will be free to attend.

The shortlistees for this year are:

BEST USE OF DATA:
Dental Services, NHS Business Services Authority
Kani Payments
Wordnerds/DWP
Wordnerds/Sage

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION sponsored by Opencast Software
globalbridge
Home Group
Sage
TechUPWomen

GROWTH EXPLOSION sponsored by Teesside University
Aspire Technology Solutions
Everflow Group
IoT North
Synergi
Trench Networks

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR sponsored by Sage
Everflow Group
Nomad Digital
Northumbria University

INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS sponsored by Invest Newcastle:
Kani Payments
Sage
VEO

PROJECT OF THE YEAR (Public Sector / Not for Profit):
Difrent – NHSX Home Testing
Newcastle University – GetPPE NCL
NHS Business Services Authority – NHS Learning Support Fund
Northumbria University – Promoting independence through technology-enabled homes

PROJECT OF THE YEAR (Corporate):
Accenture – NHS Digital
Sage Payroll – Job Retention Scheme (JRS) Module and COVID 19 Response
Waterstons – Eclipse

RISING STAR:
Eilyne Mallari – NHS Business Services Authority
Fareeha Usman – Being Woman
Katie Shannon – Accenture
Lizzie Quinn – NHS Business Services Authority

SKILLS DEVELOPER sponsored by NHS Business Services Authority:
Baltic Apprenticeships
Sunderland Software City
TechUPWomen

TECH FOR GOOD sponsored by tombola:
Home Group
NHS Business Services Authority
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust supported by the Academic Health Science Network for the North East and North Cumbria

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT sponsored by Home Group:
The winner of the Outstanding Achievement Award will be announced on the night!

THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD:
You can vote for your favourite entry, company or individual. The nomination with the most votes will be our People’s Choice Award winner.
Voting closes 4pm on Friday, October 2.

This year’s prestious judging panel is led by Prof Alastair Irons, Academic Dean, University of Sunderland. Other judges include: Anne-Marie Imafidon – founder and CEO of Stemettes;
Mark Thompson – director, Consulting Services, CGI; Jon Ridley – assistant principal, Newcastle College; Alison Cowie – editor, North East Times; Usman Shahid – managing consultant, Harvey Nash; Graham Jordan – partnership analyst, North Eastern ICT Partnership; Ian Brimer – global head of business systems, Nomad Digital; Michael Hall – CFO, Cognassit; Charlie MacDowall – digital client relationship manager, Northumbria University, and Melissa Beckett – chief marketing office, Kani Payments.

Simon Parker, director of IS at Dynamites sponsor Home Group, said: “Home Group really cares about what they do in society and how they go about it. Our history and home is in the North East and we’re proud of it. Working with Dynamo is a great way for us to promote the area and, in particular, the IT sector as we seek to grow a successful IT team within a successful IT community, right here in the North East – and Dynamo helps us do just that.”

Dynamo chair Charlie Hoult said: “In the light of our tech sector’s remarkable regional and national contribution to the fight against COVID-19, this year’s awards are particularly important. Several of our companies been actively involved in the fight against the virus.

“The North East’s tech sector has really stepped up to the mark and our shortlist reflects that this year. In such unsettling times, it’s more important than ever to celebrate the amazing success stories of the North East’s tech superstars. Despite it being a virtual event, there’ll be the usual fun and games, the same networking opportunities, and you can still wear black tie and formal wear!

“Huge thanks to our headline sponsor, Home Group and our category sponsors tombola, NHS BSA, Invest Newcastle, Sage, Teesside University and Opencast Software. We’d also like to thank Ubisoft, Waterstons, Nomad Digital and Accenture for their support.”