Member Article

Dynamites celebrate region's IT superstars

THE region celebrated its IT superstars at the sector’s flagship annual awards.

More than 480 people attended the Dynamites 18 Awards, which were hosted by North East actor Daymon Britton, and organised by Dynamo, the industry-led initiative focused on growing’s the region’s tech sector.

The awards were held in Newcastle Civic Centre’s Banqueting Hall, and sponsored by Newcastle College. The fifth annual Dynamites were contested by many of the northeast’s most successful IT and technology companies.

Companies and organisations represented included Sage, Opencast Software, Accenture, tombola, Bede Gaming, Newcastle University, Aspire, Nomad Digital, Northumbria University, The Central Exchange, Skignz, HMRC, Learning Labs, Equiwatt, Plan Digital, Generator, Nebula Labs, the University of Sunderland and Sunderland College.

The awards started with a spoof video which claimed first-choice host Robson Green had been kidnapped by his nephew Daymon, allowing Daymon to step into the role at the very last minute. So last minute that he left a holiday in Malaga and raced directly to the awards – still dressed in only his skimpy Speedos.

Chair of the all-women awards panel Deni Chambers, Director of the School of Creative and Digital Industries School at Newcastle College, welcomed guests and said the awards gave recognition to some of the great work going on in the thriving tech industry in the north east.

“Our tech industry is booming and these awards are designed to give special recognition to some of the amazing work that is happening. They recognize those delivering innovation and further driving our economy forward. They also recognize those undertaking projects that are life changing and reward outstanding contributions.

“This year the entries were nothing short of incredible. Not just in volume with a record number of nominations, but in quality and diversity, further underpinning the view of the north east as an emerging centre of excellence in digital innovation.

“I would like to add my thanks to Dynamo for opting to have an all-female judging panel this year, and for all their work in tackling the gender imbalance in the sector,” she added.

Dr Emma Banks, CEO of Datatrial, winners of the Project of the Year – Corporate category, said: “These awards mean something – we won the Innovator of the Year category at last year’s awards and had a lot of traction from it. The awards, and how significant and big they’ve become, show the importance of the sector in the region. This year the quality of those on the shortlists seemed even higher than before.”

Charlie Hoult, Chair of Dynamo, added: “What a night! The awards are a perfect way to recognise the tech talent in the region and for people working in the sector to come together and let their hair down for a great night out. The Dynamites have become an important date in the calendar, and I’d like to thank all of our sponsors for helping to make the night happen. I’d also like to thank our guest speaker, Ruth Harrison, MD of ThoughtWorks.

“We had a record number of entries, a record number of attendees and a record number of awards – I can’t wait for Dynamites 19.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Dynamites .