Digital Health Awards 2025 winners revealed
- 18 July 2025
- The winners of the 2025 Digital Health Awards have been announced following a ceremony at Summer Schools in Warwick on 17 July
- Awards handed out were for CCIO of the Year, CIO of the Year, CNIO of the Year, CSO of the Year, and Rising Star
- They were judged by representatives from across the CCIO, CIO and CNIO Advisory Panels, as well as members of the CSO and ICS Digital Councils
The winners of the 2025 Digital Health Awards have been revealed following a ceremony at Summer Schools 2025.
The awards, which opened for nominations in April 2025, celebrate innovation, dedication and excellence across the healthcare landscape, recognising the achievements of senior NHS IT leaders and upcoming trailblazers who are driving transformation.
Winners were presented with their awards by Lauren Hoodless, head of Digital Health Networks at a ceremony on 17 July 2025 at the University of Warwick.
Hoodless said: “Tonight we celebrate some of the incredible leaders and teams at the forefront of digital innovations across our health services.
“These awards are for those that really go above and beyond. For those who tirelessly champion digital as a way to improve care for citizens.
“For those, in the face of massive challenges, roll up their sleeves with grit and determination to get technology into the hands of clinicians, patients and carers who need it.”
Nominees were judged by representatives from the Chief Clinical Information Officer (CCIO), Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Nursing Information Officer (CNIO) Advisory Panels, as well as members of the Clinical Safety Officer (CSO) Council and Digital Integrated Care System (ICS) Council.
The winners are:
CCIO of the Year – Penny Kechagioglou
As CCIO at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, Kechagioglou has driven impactful digital transformation, including a nationally recognised electronic patient record rollout, and is a committed mentor, speaker, and writer who actively champions digital leadership.
She has also been elected chair of the CCIO Advisory Panel for the 2025-2027 term.
Other finalists in this category were Jennifer Cross, medical director at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, and Jasmeen Islam, CCIO at Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
CIO of the Year – Amy Freeman
As chief digital information officer (CDIO) at University Hospitals of North Midlands, Freeman has driven national impact, from shaping NHS digital policy and launching pioneering AI programmes, to securing funding for a regional shared electronic patient record.
Freeman, who has been elected as chair of the CIO Advisory Panel, also cofounded the Faculty of First Board CDIO programme and led the Midlands Digital Skills Network, supporting more than 400 staff.
She was unable to attend the ceremony and her award was accepted by Brijesh Patel on her behalf.
Other finalists in this category were Sian Clark, CDIO at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, and Lee Rickles, CIO, director and deputy senior information risk officer (SIRO) at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust.
CIO of the Year judge, Paul Jones, chief digital information officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Each year, the calibre of nominations continues to rise, showcasing groundbreaking work across a wide spectrum of disciplines—from patient engagement to system transformation.”
CNIO of the Year – Misbah Mahmood
As the UK’s first chief midwifery information officer, Mahmood has pioneered digital leadership in midwifery, shaping national strategies and driving improvements in maternity care.
She is now chief X information officer and CSO at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust.
Other finalists for CNIO of the Year were Stacey Hatton, CNIO at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, and Sam Neville, associate director of clinical applications, CNIO and CSO at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
CSO of the Year – Kaye Reynolds
Reynolds, who is lead CSO at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust, has been named CSO of the Year in recognition of her outstanding leadership and dedication to digital clinical safety across the East of England and nationally.
As founder and chair of the national network, CSO Coffee and Chat, Reynolds has created a forum for more than 100 CSOs each month to connect, learn, and share best practice.
Other finalists were Sharon O’Connor, CNIO at Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), and Stephen Roche, programme lead: digital clinical safety service, and CSO at NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit.
CSO of the Year judge, Ben Jeeves, chair of the Digital Health CSO Council, said: “The CSO Awards are a powerful reflection of the ambition, expertise, and collaborative spirit that define the CSO community.
“For me, the CSO Awards are more than a celebration. They spotlight a community that is fundamental to the transformation we are living.”
Rising Star – Tom Micklewright
Micklewright was awarded the Rising Star award for his dedication and innovation as clinical lead for digital transformation in primary care at Cheshire and Merseyside ICB.
Over two years, he led the development of a Digital Care Pathway for Heart Health, integrating patient-focused digital tools. He also helped establish the ICB Digital Safety Group and expanded CSO training across primary care amid growing AI use.
Other Rising Star finalists were Alice Butler, specialist digital midwife at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, and Grace Murray, specialist digital midwife at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Rising Star category judge, John Mitchell, chair of Digital ICS Council, said: “The overall standard of entry was very high. Some of the candidates in the process, even though early in their career, have already achieved incredible standards and have the foundations in place for stunning careers.”
