Awards 2025

Digital Health Awards 2025

The Digital Health Awards 2025 shine a light on the outstanding digital leaders who are shaping the future of healthcare within the NHS. Our awards celebrate innovation, dedication, and excellence across the healthcare landscape, recognising the achievements and contributions of individuals who are driving transformation through digital technologies.

Held as part of the annual Digital Health Summer Schools event, the awards took place on Thursday 17 July at the University of Warwick during the evening dinner.

The Digital Health Awards 2025 not only acknowledge excellence today but also aim to inspire and accelerate the next wave of digital leadership across the NHS.

This year’s awards have been judged by representatives from across the CCIO, CIO, and CNIO Advisory Panels, as well as members of the CSO and ICS Digital Council, ensuring a diverse and expert perspective in selecting the most impactful and inspiring digital leaders in health and care.

The judges were looking for compelling examples of leadership, innovation, and measurable impact in each of the following categories:

• CCIO of the Year
• CIO of the Year
• CNIO of the Year
• CSO of the Year
• Rising Star

We are delighted to announce our 2025 Digital Health Awards winners!

CCIO of the Year
Penny Kechagioglou, Chief Clinical Information Officer, Deputy Chief Medical Officer University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

A passionate and influential digital leader, Penny has amplified the voice of clinicians across national platforms, mentored future digital leaders, and driven innovation through research, policy, and collaboration. From leading EPR transformation at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust to shaping national frameworks, Penny exemplifies impact, mentorship, and strategic leadership in digital health.

CIO of the Year
Amy Freeman, Chief Digital Information Officer University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust

Amy’s exceptional leadership has helped shape the digital future of the NHS, from influencing national policy and pioneering AI-driven innovation to championing regional collaboration and digital skills development. Amy’s work has had a transformative impact at every level, from the front line to the boardroom. Her commitment to patient-centred care, sustainable funding, and the development of the next generation of digital leaders truly sets her apart.

CNIO of the Year
Misbah Mahmood, Chief X Information Officer and Clinical Safety Officer, Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust

The first ever midwife to win this award, Misbah is a true pioneer whose leadership has redefined the role of midwifery in digital transformation. From national recognition and influencing global strategy to integrating maternity and mental health care through digital innovation, she has broken barriers and changed the narrative. Her compassionate, inclusive approach ensures that women, families, and underrepresented voices are heard at every level. Misbah is a visionary leader, advocate, trailblazer.

CSO of the Year
Kaye Reynolds, Lead Clinical Safety Officer The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust

Kaye’s dedication, leadership, and passion has made a lasting impact both regionally and nationally. From founding a thriving national network of Clinical Safety Officers to training the next generation and mentoring with care and expertise, Kaye has elevated the profile of clinical safety in the digital age. Her academic drive, practical leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence make her a standout Clinical Safety Officer and a essential voice in shaping the future of safe, digital healthcare.

Rising Star
Tom Micklewright Clinical Lead for Digital Transformation in Primary Care NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board

Tom’s outstanding leadership as Clinical Lead for Digital Transformation in Primary Care has brought real, measurable change across Cheshire and Merseyside. From reshaping heart failure pathways and championing clinical safety standards to mentoring future leaders and driving national conversations on AI in General Practice, Tom’s work bridges innovation with impact. His commitment to patient empowerment and safe, effective digital transformation in primary care truly sets him apart.

Not to forget our 2025 Digital Health Awards finalists:

CCIO of the Year

  • Jennifer Cross Medical Director Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
  • Jasmeen Islam Chief Clinical Information Officer Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

CIO of the Year

  • Sian Clark Chief Digital Information Officer Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
  • Lee Rickles Chief Information Officer, Director & Deputy SIRO Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust

CNIO of the Year

  • Stacey Hatton, Chief Nursing Information Officer, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
  • Sam Neville, Associate Director of Clinical Applications, Chief Nursing Information Officer & Clinical Safety Officer Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

CSO of the Year

  • Sharon O’Connor Chief Nursing Information Officer Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board
  • Stephen Roche Programme Lead: Digital Clinical Safety Service, and CSO NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit

Rising Star

  • Alice Butler Specialist Digital Midwife Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
  • Grace Murray Specialist Digital Midwife South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Categories

The 2025 awards categories are:

CCIO of the Year:
This award recognises the Chief Clinical Information Officer (CCIO) who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision in harnessing digital solutions to improve patient care, streamline processes, and enhance clinical outcomes.

CIO of the Year:
Acknowledging the pivotal role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO), this award celebrates the individual who has displayed outstanding strategic thinking, innovation, and execution in leveraging technology to advance healthcare delivery and organisational goals.

CNIO of the Year:
For the Chief Nursing Information Officer (CNIO) who has exhibited exemplary leadership and innovation in integrating nursing practice with information management and technology, ultimately enhancing patient care and nursing workflows.

CSO of the Year
This award honours the Clinical Safety Officer (CSO) who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in ensuring the safe implementation and use of digital health technologies. Recognising excellence in risk management, governance, and patient safety, this award celebrates an individual who has made a significant impact in embedding safety principles within digital transformation initiatives.

Rising Star:
Celebrating emerging talent and future leaders in digital health, this award recognises an individual who has made significant contributions early in their career, demonstrating exceptional promise, creativity, and dedication to driving positive change.

Entry criteria

Submissions for the Digital Health Awards can be made by an individual nominating themselves or a colleague.

Those being nominated for an award must:

• Be a member of the Digital Health Networks.
• Be a CCIO, CIO, CNIO, CSO, future digital leader currently work in the field of digital health and social care or use technology in your daily work
• Work for the NHS, public sector, third sector providers, in charitable sectors, or as an academic or researcher.
• Demonstrate how the nominee meets the category criteria using evidence to support reasons.

Your application is subject to registering to attend Summer Schools 2025. The three finalists from each category will receive a complimentary ticket for the awards dinner and a 20% discount on your attendance ticket for the event which will be applied to your booking once confirmed as a finalist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nominate Here

Categories

The 2025 awards categories are:

CCIO of the Year:
This award recognises the Chief Clinical Information Officer (CCIO) who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision in harnessing digital solutions to improve patient care, streamline processes, and enhance clinical outcomes.

CIO of the Year:
Acknowledging the pivotal role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO), this award celebrates the individual who has displayed outstanding strategic thinking, innovation, and execution in leveraging technology to advance healthcare delivery and organisational goals.

CNIO of the Year:
For the Chief Nursing Information Officer (CNIO) who has exhibited exemplary leadership and innovation in integrating nursing practice with information management and technology, ultimately enhancing patient care and nursing workflows.

CSO of the Year
This award honours the Clinical Safety Officer (CSO) who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in ensuring the safe implementation and use of digital health technologies. Recognising excellence in risk management, governance, and patient safety, this award celebrates an individual who has made a significant impact in embedding safety principles within digital transformation initiatives.

Rising Star:
Celebrating emerging talent and future leaders in digital health, this award recognises an individual who has made significant contributions early in their career, demonstrating exceptional promise, creativity, and dedication to driving positive change.

Thanks to Digital Health Networks sponsors