Member Article

Best of the best: Dynamites23 shortlist is revealed

THE shortlist for the Dynamites23, the region’s IT and technology awards, has been unveiled after a massive number of companies, organisations and individuals entered.

Now in their tenth year, the Dynamites are the North East’s most highly anticipated IT and Tech awards. Organised annually by tech network Dynamo, the awards shine a spotlight on successful regional tech companies, organisations and individuals, and recognise the talent within the vibrant north east digital/tech sector. The awards’ headline sponsor is once again Nigel Wright Recruitment.

Many of the region’s leading IT and technology companies have made it on to the shortlist, alongside SMEs and some of the north east’s largest businesses and organisations which have critical IT departments, including the NHS, Greggs and Vertu Motors.

Dynamites23 will be held at Newcastle’s Civic Centre banqueting hall on Thursday, November 16.

The shortlistees for this year are:

• Best Use of Data: Newcastle Building Society, NHSBSA, Seriös Group, Wordnerds

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, sponsored by Gateshead College: Gateshead Council, Marra, Opencast

• Growth Explosion, sponsored by LDC: Opencast, Seriös Group, Razorblue, Solution Performance Group

• Innovator of the year, sponsored by Raymond James Monument: Infotel UK Consulting, Learning Curve Group, Oliver Wyman, Vertu Motors

• Project of the Year sponsored by Oliver Wyman: Greggs, Kinewell Energy, Sage, Vertu Motors

• International success sponsored by Leighton: Mkodo, Oliver Wyman, Tombola

• Rising Star, sponsored by NEBRC: Corey Vietch-McAllister from Newcastle College; Sumit Priyadarshi from Grainger PLC; Uffa Modey from hedgehog lab; William Taylor from Infotel UK Consulting

• Skills Developer, sponsored by Sage: Gateshead College, Baltic Apprenticeships, NHSBSA, Version 1

• Sustainability in Tech, sponsored by BJSS: Grainger PLC, Kinewell Energy, NBS, Opencast

• Tech for Good, sponsored by tombola: NHSBSA – Healthy Start, NHSBSA Hormone Replacement Therapy, Paul McMurray Donation Genie, XR Therapeutics

• Tech Champion, sponsored by Nigel Wright Recruitment: Andrew Jenkins – Kinewell Energy; Gerard Elder - Sunderland College (EPNE); Paul Jackman - CyberNorth

David Dunn, CEO at Dynamo, said: “We are proud and delighted that the Dynamites continue to attract so many entries – and it’s not just the numbers, it’s the quality. It’s further proof of how popular and well respected the awards are.

“The huge range of successful companies, brilliant organisations and talented individuals is proof of what a vibrant tech sector we have in the north east, and I very much look forward to what is one of the highlights of our year.

“Tickets for the big night are selling quickly, so I would urge anyone interested to book early.”

Dynamo split the judging of this year’s awards into category panels which created long lists to put to the main judging panel. The main judging panel consisted of Judging Chair Charlie MacDowall; Engagement Director at Monstar Lab; Chris Dresser, Managing Consultant at Nigel Wright Recruitment; Dylan McKee, Co-founder and CEO at Nebula Labs; Jill McKinney, Director, Dynamo; Dawn Dunn, Digital and Tech Sector Lead at Invest Newcastle; Ellen Thinnesen, Chief Executive at Education Partnership North East; Graeme Fletcher, Director of Technology and Engineering at Mkodo; James Holmes, Director of Projects, Lanchester Wines; Nathanial Ray from NKRay Consulting, and Ruth Plater, CEO and Founder at Radial Path.

Judge Chris Dresser said: “I’ve long believed the North East is a fantastic area for all things tech and taking part in the judging not only reinforced this but also brought the people and companies I wasn’t aware of to my attention. The judging this year was, like last year, incredibly difficult as the nominations highlight a wide range of wonderful achievements born out of this region and it seemed harsh to only pick one winner for each category.”

Last year’s awards night attracted a record 520 attendees. Major award winners included Success4All (Tech for Good); Iamproperty (Innovator of the Year); Waterstons (Best Use of Data and People’s Choice); Aspire Technology Solutions (Skills Developer) and Connected Energy (Sustainability in Tech).

Individual tickets and bookings for tables of ten are available, with discounted rates available for Dynamo members. Tickets can be booked via the Dynamo website.

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