AbilityNet Named in UK Digital Leaders Top Ten

AbilityNet's pioneering approach to using digital technology for the good of others has been recognised with a place in the Top Ten of the UK Digital Leaders Awards 2013 alongside the BBC, Google and Mozilla. The Awards were announced at the House of Lords on 11 November and recognise organisations and individuals that have shown outstanding leadership and innovation in harnessing the power of digital technology and the internet.

Nominations for the Digital Leaders Awards were received from the public and then voted on by members of the Digital Leaders Network and their peers, who cast over 9,000 votes. An expert panel of judges then selected the top 10 leaders in each category. AbilityNet CEO Nigel Lewis is pictured accepting the Award from Lord Knight of Weymouth and Charles Mindenhall of Agilsys, who sponsored the Awards.

Nigel Lewis said:

"This is an amazing result for us - beaten to the top spot by the BBC in the not for profit category and then sixth in the overall rankings behind names like Google and Mozilla. It's incredible to be named alongside such an amazing range of third sector, government and business nominations and is testament to the amazing skills and commitment of all our staff, volunteers and trustees.

"We are a unique organisation, delivering charitable and commercial services that have a profound impact on the lives of disabled people at home, at work and in education. That takes in an incredibly diverse range of activity, from volunteers visiting disabled people who need help with their computers to our expert team of consultants who ensured the accessibility of the websites for the London 2012 Games.

"We already work with many of the other Digital Leaders and we this Award is a chance to celebrate everyone's hard work in using digital technology for the good of others.

Robin Knowles is founder of Digital Leaders Programme, which has organised the Digital Leaders Awards:

"The Digital Leaders Programme gathers influential leaders from the highest levels of Government as well as the private and not-for-profit sectors. We see this is a vital part of the UK’s future success as a world-leading digital nation we hope the Awards can help share knowledge and experience as well as celebrate success. ”

Top Ten UK Digital Leaders 2013

1. Mike Bracken (Government Digital Service)
2. BBC
3. RT Hon Francis Maude MP
4. Mozilla
5. Google
6. AbilityNet
7. Cllr Laura Robertson-Collins (Liverpool City Council)
8. Ian Watt (Aberdeen City Council
9. Go ON-UK
10. Dave Carter (Manchester Digital Development Agency)

Read more about the awards on the Digital Leaders website.