Winners of the 2024 Belfast Telegraph IT Awards in partnership with Telefónica Tech UK&I have been announced at a glittering ceremony in Belfast.
And Noel Brady, one of the best-known names in Northern Ireland’s business world, was winner of the Outstanding Contribution to the IT Sector award.
The ceremony, hosted by comedian Andrew Ryan, was held at the MAC Theatre in Belfast, with winners unveiled across 19 categories.
Other victors on the night included South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust for its work on implementing Encompass, a new digital health records system for citizens in Northern Ireland.
The project brought the trust’s digital services department the title of Best Public Sector or Third Sector IT Project, and the judges’ choice award of IT Team or Company of the Year.
Mark Gorton, CEO at Telefónica Tech UK&I, said: “Telefónica Tech were incredibly honoured to once again sponsor the Belfast Telegraph IT Awards.
“These awards highlight the outstanding talent, innovation and dedication driving the ever-evolving tech sector forward in Northern Ireland.
“It was incredible to join together with other leaders in the IT industry in Northern Ireland on the night.
“I want to send a congratulations to all of this year’s winners and nominees on their achievements.”
Eoin Brannigan, editor-in-chief at the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life, said: “We are once again delighted to hold the Belfast Telegraph IT Awards in partnership with Telefónica Tech UK&I.
“As a media brand, we’re proud to be at the forefront of celebrating the IT world, one of the most important sectors of our economy.
“This is the fourth year we’ve had the support of Telefónica Tech in holding the awards, and it’s always a pleasure to work with them on the event.
“Thank you to all our category sponsors, and most important of all, congratulations to all our winners.”
Mr Brady picked up the Outstanding Contribution Award as his consultancy firm, NB1 Ltd, marked its 20th anniversary this year.
He has advised IT companies throughout his career and has described himself as “a Belfast man totally committed to growing the economy and developing employment opportunities”.
Mr Brady is an expert in public sector tendering, sales and marketing, and an experienced chairman and non-executive director in organisations in the private and public sectors.
Peter Russell, chair of the judging panel and managing director of PR Business Growth Services, said: “It was an honour to chair the judging panel for the 2024 Belfast Telegraph IT Awards in partnership with Telefónica Tech.
“Selecting this year’s winners was no easy task, especially as we had so many worthy and compelling entries.
“Thanks must go to my fellow judges who gave up their time and expertise so willingly and made the whole process a very enjoyable one. Congratulations to all of the deserving winners and thanks to everyone who made these awards a success.”
Winners of the 2024 Belfast Telegraph IT Awards in partnership with Telefónica Tech UK&I
Best Public Sector or Third Sector IT Project
Sponsor: Allstate
Winner: South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust – Encompass Implementation
Best Use of Cloud Services
Sponsor: Radius Connect
Winner: Allstate
Cybersecurity Project of the Year
Sponsor: Leaf IT
Winner: Options Technology
IT Project of the Year
Sponsor: Ergo
Winner: Scaffold Digital
Mobile App of the Year
Sponsor: Options Technology
Winner: Mantle Services
IT Professional of the Year
Sponsor: Hays Recruitment
Winner: Dr Jonathan Sinclair
Young IT Professional of the Year
Sponsor: APCOA
Winner: Benjamin Watterson, ESP
Best Place to Work in IT – under 100 employees
Sponsor: Vanrath
Winner: Covernet
Best Place to Work in IT – 100 employees or more
Sponsor: NI Jobfinder
Winner: Expleo
IT Supplier of the Year
Sponsor: CGI
Winner: PlotBox
IT Woman of the Year
Sponsor: Ulster University
Winner: Faye Thomas, VYTA
IT Services Company of the Year
Sponsor: Invest NI
Winner: Continu
Development Team of the Year
Sponsor: Go Succeed
Winner: Education Authority & Version 1
DevOps Engineer of the Year
Sponsor: NB1 Ltd
Winner: Patrick Keehan, Salt Communications
Excellence in Workplace Health and Wellbeing
Sponsor: BearingPoint
Winner: Rapid7
IT Team or Department of the Year
Sponsor: Tata Consultancy Services
Winner: South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust
Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Champion
Sponsor: Expleo
Winner: Ciara McCloskey, Data Intellect
Overall IT Team or Company of the Year 2024
Sponsor: Telefónica Tech
Winner: South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust, Digital Services Department
Outstanding Contribution to the IT Sector
Sponsor: Telefónica Tech
Winner: Noel Brady