Meet the Computing Awards winners

More than 1,000 guests attended the 14th annual Computing Awards for Excellence ceremony in London - watch the video of the night here

Written by Bryan Glick

Computing, 25 Oct 2006

The winners of the 14th annual Computing Awards for Excellence were announced last night at a glittering prizegiving ceremony in London.

More than 1,000 guests, including some of the most influential figures in UK IT, gathered at the Battersea Park Events Arena to see TV personality Graham Norton present the awards to our winners, listed below.

This has been the most successful year for Computing’s awards, widely recognised as the Oscars of the IT industry. We achieved a record number of entries – up more than 25 per cent on the previous high, set in 2005. And the quality of entries throughout was outstanding – everyone who made the shortlist deserved to win, but in each case our panel of judges could only choose one.

Our congratulations to all those who made it onto a shortlist, and in particular to the winners, all of whom have demonstrated the excellence and the achievements of the UK IT community.

Look out for the Computing Awards again in 2007.

To watch a video of the night and hear from some of the awards winners - click here. (Requires QuickTime player)

Computing Awards for Excellence 2006 - The roll of honour

Oustanding Contribution to UK IT

British Airways Information Management Department

Last year, Computing ran a story highlighting how British Airways had become the world's most profitable airline, and the vital role that IT played in turning the company around since the dark days after 9/11. A five-year IT programme made an enormous contribution to the turnaround of the company, and demonstrated the vital role that technology can play in transforming a major organisation.

Furthermore, through initiatives such as online check-in and e-ticketing, BA's use of IT is not just changing the company but leading the change of the whole airline industry.

We could not think of a better example of how a company has used IT to make an outstanding contribution to its performance and its industry this year.

But this was undoubtedly a team effort and a team success, and for that reason Computing has awarded the Outstanding Contribution to UK IT award for 2006 to the whole IT department at British Airways.

Project Awards

Private Sector Project of the Year - BP

Public Sector Project of the Year - London Grid for Learning

Voluntary Sector Project of the Year - The Scout Association

Innovative Project of the Year - Army on Everest

Student Project of the Year - Dimitrios Georgoulas, Aston University

Individual & Team Awards

IT Leader of the Year - Darin Brumby, chief information officer, FirstGroup

IT Professional of the Year - Tim Needham, senior systems developer, West Midlands Fire Service

IT Department of the Year - Northumberland County Council

Business Manager of the Year - Carol Groves, development manager, HBOS

Company Awards