NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) has won two categories at the Dynamites 19 Awards, which celebrates the rising stars of the region’s growing tech sector.
More than 450 people attended the Dynamites 19 Awards last week, which were hosted by North East actor Daymon Britton and organised by Dynamo North East, the industry-led network focused on growing the region’s tech sector.
NHSBSA won the Skills Developer Award as well as the Public Sector Project of the Year (Public Sector Award) together with partners Opencast.
NHSBSA picked up the Public Sector Project of the Year Award for the Data Development and Migration Programme. This was an 18 month programme, working in partnership with Opencast Software resulting in the successful decommission of the 30-year-old NHSBSA Mainframe.
Nick O’Reilly, Chief Technology Officer at NHSBSA said: “Many people said it could not be done, some had tried and failed before; but we have a highly energetic and passionate team who worked hard to make sure that the Mainframe issue was tackled, at the same time showing our own values of Collaboration, Adventure, Reliability and Energy in action.”
Opencast’s Managing Director Carl Shovlin said: “I’m so proud of the team….Working very closely with our partners at NHSBSA, we delivered and solved a problem that had been there for some time.”
Kirste Worland, Head of Technology Applications at NHSBSA said: “Rapid innovation affects organisations and requires new skills across the sector. We decided to get creative. We won the Skills Developer Award for our engagement work with local schools and colleges, (through a platform called globalbridge); our support for digital apprenticeships and our engagement with, and commitment to, the armed forces covenant pledge. This has enabled us to connect with around 2100 local students; support 11 digital apprentices and successfully recruit five armed forces veterans in the hope of inspiring current and future talent to consider a career with us.”
Chair of the Dynamites judging panel, Anne MacDonald, explained the importance of the region’s tech sector, and the role of the Dynamo North East: “The region continues to impress with its innovation and digital expertise. The awards event is about giving recognition to some of the amazing work that is happening in our tech and digital companies and organisations.
“Raising the profile of our region to ensure we secure investment and sustained business growth is essential and the awards help to achieve that. The calibre of entries this year was nothing short of amazing and gave the judging panel some tough decisions.”
Charlie Hoult, Chair of Dynamo, added: “The Dynamites 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.
“Dynamo is all about raising the profile of the sector – making some noise, and we did just that during what was a great night for the region’s tech and digital sector.
Nick O’Reilly added: “The NHSBSA is proud to be part of the Dynamo North East community, to be recognised by our industry peers for our work, and to acknowledge the great achievements not just of the winners but all of those shortlisted.”