UKtech50 2013: The most influential people in UK IT

Computer Weekly is this week launching the fourth annual UKtech50, our definitive list of the movers and shakers in UK IT - the CIOs, industry executives, public servants and business leaders driving the role of technology in the UK economy.

Our aim is to once more identify the 50 most influential leaders in UK IT. Whoever comes on top of the list will be the person that, in the opinion of our expert judging panel and a reader vote, holds the most influence over the future of the UK IT sector in the next 12 months – and hence the future of IT professionals across the country.

Last year’s winner of the UKtech50 was Warren East, the CEO of ARM. East led the UK chip design firm to global success, its intellectual property being used to power most of the leading smartphones and tablet devices that are transforming the tech landscape.

But now that East has retired, who will follow him as this year’s winner? There will be plenty of candidates from every sector of the UK. As the government rolls out new digital public services, will an IT leader from Whitehall top the list? As the digital revolution transforms businesses, will a CIO with game-changing IT strategies come to the fore? Or as tech startups build across the country, is this the time to recognise an entrepreneur?

To coincide with the announcement of the 50 most influential leaders in UK IT, Computer Weekly is hosting a special event in London on 4 December – it will be a must-attend meeting for any IT leaders looking to develop their own influence, to be inspired by their peers, and to lead innovation in their organisation. Look out for more details coming your way soon.

If you would like to nominate anyone you feel warrants recognition as one of the 50 most influential people in UK IT, email our editor at [email protected] with the subject line "UKtech50 nominations". Please send your nominations by 11 October 2013 to be included in the judging process.  

Judging the UKtech50

The UKtech50 list will be decided by a judging panel representing every area of the UK IT profession – and we will also ask readers to vote on who they think should top the list.

The panel has been chosen to represent different perspectives within IT – so each individual is acting both as an impartial and expert judge, as well as an advocate for their area of interest.

The judges are:

• Carrie Hartnell, Associate Director, Industry Strategy, Intellect
• Adam Thilthorpe, Director for Professionalism, BCS
• Marc Dowd, principal of the CIO Group, Forrester Research
• John Goldader, chairman of The Corporate IT Forum, and a senior IT leader at BG Group

Our judging panel will select the top 50 based on the following criteria:

Influence - What authority or ability does the person have – either through their personal position or the role they hold – to personally influence the development of UK IT, or to influence others in positions of authority?

Achievements - What has the person achieved in the past 12 months to help the development of the UK IT?

Profile - Is the person recognised as a role model for aspiring leaders? How widely are they acknowledged by their peers as an authority and influence on UK IT?

Leadership - Does the person demonstrate the skills and experience necessary to be seen as a leader in the development of IT in the UK? Do they have a leadership role and does that help them to develop the role of IT in the UK?

Potential - How likely is it that the person will have a significant impact on UK IT in the next 12 months? Will their authority and responsibility grow?