2026 SHORTLIST
We’re proud to unveil the shortlist for the inaugural AI and Software Development Awards, a landmark moment as we launch a new platform dedicated to recognising outstanding achievement across the AI and software development landscape.
These awards shine a spotlight on the organisations, teams and individuals driving innovation, technical excellence and real-world impact through cutting-edge technology. This year’s shortlist represents the very best of the sector, showcasing creativity, ambition and leadership at the forefront of digital transformation.
Join us as we celebrate our first cohort of finalists and set the standard for excellence at this exciting new industry event.
Book your finalist package now and be part of an unforgettable inaugural celebration.
Company Categories
2
Best Place to Work in Software
Gearset
Hymans Robertson
6
Most Innovative UK Software Company - Enterprise
AVEVA
Dotsquares Ltd
Exclaimer
Harness
Innowise
OneAdvanced
8
Most Innovative UK Software Company - SME
AutogenAI
ConnexAI
Droplet
Geolytix
SurrealDB
Talos360
Tollring
Xiatech
Most Innovative UK Software Company - SME sponsored by:
Individual Categories
6
Data Scientist of the Year
Abiodun Ayodeji, Brunel Innovation Centre
Kit Bower-Morris, ConnexAI
Matthew Rothery, ConnexAI
Prof Victor Chang, Aston University
Robert Kostrzewski, Godel Technologies Europe Limited.
Tamanna Haque, Jaguar Land Rover
4
Developer of the Year
Anastasiia Gorodetckaia, Lloyds Banking Group
Jason Yeh, CTO
Liam Henderson, Hymans Robertson
Molly Bland, FOIL AI
7
DevOps Practitioner of the Year
Alistair Dalgleish, Hymans Robertson
Christopher Billett, OpenCorporates
Craig Clark, N-able
Danylo Mikula, Medidata Solutions
Geeta Ashok Gulabani, Capgemini
Justyn Roberts, PagerDuty
Vijayabaskaran P Sivakolundu, TCS
9
Software Leader of the Year
Anish Behanan, Capgemini Financial Services
Anupama Hatti. NHS Blood and Transplant
Charis Thomas, Aqilla
Clive Moorhead, Hymans Robertson
Ifeanyi Madu, The Range
Jyoti Bansal, Harness
Michael Moulsdale, Mitie
Pankaj Kane, Admiral Group
Uma Thirugnanam, Aviva
7
Software Rising Star of the Year
Anastasiia Gorodetckaia, Lloyds Banking Group
Antonina Iermeichuk (Tucci), Deus Robotics
Fred McArthur, SSE
Hannah Hughes, Hymans Robertson
Harris Bashir, Kidoz Inc.
Matthew Goh, Mercator Digital
Tia Collard, fiftyminds
Project Categories
7
Best Software Automation Project
AI Enabled Automation and Testing Assurance, Capgemini
Enterprise-Scale Quality Automation Powered by Tricentis
IT Automation – Enterprise Enabler, Nationwide Building Society
Kainos Studio, Kainos
Nimbus, MSQ DX
Proscribe AI, SSE
QE Estate Automation, Aviva
8
Best Use of AI and Machine Learning in Development
AI-Driven Software Quality at Enterprise Scale, Tricentis
GCG AI, Charsfield Research & Advisory and GoCodeGreen
Multiple Godel Initiatives, Godel Technologies Europe Limited.
RCA GenAI BOT, Aviva
S2S-Transport quantum gravimetry platform /Sovereign AI, OrBro Ltd
Transforming customer service through pioneering use of Generative AI and Machine Learning - Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
Velocity.AI
Vendi+ AI-Powered Retail Analytics, Innowise
8
Best Use of AI in Security
A Guide to AI for Cybersecurity, Forti5 Tech Ltd
Appdome Platform, Appdome
Best Use of AI in Security: YEO Messaging
Cloud-Native AML Platform, Napier AI
Coro
DeepDefend. Littlefish Group
Foresight, Glasswall
SonarQube, Sonar
3
Best Use of DevOps, DataOps or GitOps
DevOps Excellence in Action, Eaton Corporation
Reinventing Developer Experience: DevHub on TaaS, Vodafone Group PLC and MSQ DX
Revolte
3
Edge/IoT Software Project of the Year
Dotsquares Ltd
Intelligent Road Safety and Asset Management - TRL, Experion Technologies
PrivEdge - Hybrid Edge-Cloud AI Inference System
11
Innovation of the Year - Enterprise
Emergency Admissions System
ESME Chatbot, MITIE
GenBI, Lloyds Banking Group
HMRC AI Innovation
Kainos Studio, Kainos
Making AI Risk Decisions Visible, University of St Andrews and Tapoly
OneAdvanced
Perfecto AI, Perfecto
Proscribe AI, SSE
QE Framework,Aviva
Vendi+ Unified IoT Intelligence Platform, Innowise
9
Innovation of the Year - SME
Autonomic Water Company, FOIL AI
Doxi, Setient Ltd
GCG AI, Charsfield Research & Advisory and GoCodeGreen
Geospatial Foundational Model, Geolytix
Invisible shield: Thwarting a zero-day attack on the UK’s CNI, Droplet
PORTrockIT accelerates BlackPearl’s replication performance
Revolte
Revvel Health, Plus8Soft
Rosebud
Tools and Product Categories
7
Best AI Agent Platform
Agent Platform, Elixirr Digital
Agentic AI, ConnexAI
Amperity Customer Data Agent
Intelligent Quality Platform, Aviva
Quality.AI, Capgemini
Revolte
Verdantum, Charsfield Research & Advisory
4
Best AI Code Generation/Copilot Tool
Kainos Studio - Kainos
KnowledgeAgent, Catapult CX
Payara Starter, Payara Services
Perfecto AI, Perfecto
4
Best Lo-Code/No-Code Tool