The Harvey Nash Group UK Parliamentarian Tech Champion Award

This year, Harvey Nash Group has launched its Tech Champion Award. The Award will recognise members of the UK Parliament who have campaigned on technology issues.

Each week we will unveil a candidate for the Award and the reasons that the candidate has been identified as a tech champion.

The process will culminate in one of the candidates being selected as the ultimate winner. They will receive the Tech Champion Award and a donation to a charity of their choice.

The Winner - December 16th

The winner of the Harvey Nash Group Parliamentary Tech Champion Award 2021 is Julie Elliott MP.

Throughout 2021, Julie has consistently and vocally campaigned for investment in digital skills and for increased digital connectivity.

Julie will receive the Parliamentary Tech Champion Award from Bev White, CEO, and Harvey Nash Group will make a donation to a charity of her choice.

Nominations

Week 6 - December 9th

Chi Onwurah - Member of Parliament for Newcastle upon Tyne Central

Our sixth candidate is Chi Onwurah MP. Chi is the Member of Parliament for Newcastle upon Tyne Central.

Chi Serves as the Shadow Minister for Science, Research and Innovation. Chi also chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Diversity and Inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Throughout 2021, Chi has campaigned on digital exclusion and the need for STEM careers to be open to everyone.

Week 5 - December 2nd

Matt Warman MP - Member of Parliament for Boston and Skegness

Our fifth candidate is Matt Warman MP. Matt is the Member of Parliament for Boston and Skegness, a constituency in Lincolnshire.

Matt served as Minister for Digital Infrastructure at the Department for Digital, Media and Sport between July 2019 and September 2021. In this role, Matt focused on increasing broadband speeds and coverage throughout the UK. He frequently emphasised the unprecedented need for connectivity during the pandemic. Prior to entering Parliament, Matt covered technology issues as a journalist at the Daily Telegraph.

Week 4 - November 25th

Caroline Dinenage MP - Member of Parliament for Gosport

Our fourth candidate is Caroline Dinenage MP. Caroline is the Member of Parliament for Gosport, a constituency on the South Coast in Hampshire.

Caroline served as Minister for Digital and Culture at the Department for Digital, Media and Sport between February 2020 and September 2021. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Caroline championed the resilience of the UK’s tech sector and underlined the importance of supporting people to build their digital skills to help them succeed in the growing digital economy.

Week 3 - November 18th

Carol Monaghan MP - Member of Parliament for Glasgow North West

Our third candidate is Carol Monaghan MP. Carol represents Glasgow North West, a constituency in Scotland. Carol is an active member of tech-focused All-Party Parliamentary Groups including on Artificial Intelligence, Data Poverty, and Internet, Communications and Technology.

With the rise of AI, Carol has called for ‘more expertise’ around machine learning systems with more policy input in particular from ‘people working in developing AI systems’.

‍Week 2 – November 11th‍

Julian Knight MP - Member of Parliament for Solihull

Our second candidate is Julian Knight MP who represents Solihull, a constituency in the West Midlands. Julian also serves as Chair of the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee.

Julian has highlighted the importance of 5G roll-out and stressed the need to deliver on targets for gigabit-capable broadband. Julian has also emphasised the critical nature of the Online Safety Bill and the significance of having a Bill that addresses the ‘fast-changing digital environment’.

Week 1 – November 4th

Julie Elliott MP - Member of Parliament for Sunderland Central

Our first candidate is Julie Elliott MP who represents Sunderland Central, a constituency in the North East of England. Julie has consistently campaigned for investment in digital skills and for increased digital connectivity.

Earlier this year, Julie highlighted the need for children to have access to digital devices to keep them connected to vital education.