The Alliance for Data Science Professionals (AfDSP) are delighted to announce they have been named as a Finalist in the British Data Awards 2024.
The British Data Awards is an annual quest to discover and celebrate the UK’s data success stories. Organisations taking part this year range from FTSE 100 heavyweights, public sector pioneers, technology unicorns, fast-growing scale-ups, essential Not-For-Profits, and everything in between.
A record 321 entries were received for the fourth edition of the British Data Awards which means that competition to be named a Finalist proved to be particularly tough, so AfSDP are especially pleased to be announced as a Finalist.
Jason Johnson, Co-Founder of Predatech and British Data Awards judge said: “With so many excellent entries received this year, being named a Finalist in the British Data Awards 2024 really is a great achievement. Our Finalist also remind us of the rich vein of innovation that runs throughout the United Kingdom, and I can’t wait to celebrate all our Finalists in May.”
Professor Edward Rochead, Chair of the Alliance for Data Science Professionals, said: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled by the Alliance being chosen to be a finalist in the British Data Awards 2024, it is a great tribute to the work of the members of the Alliance, led by my predecessor Professor Rachel Hilliam, in working predominantly through the Covid 19 pandemic to deliver a common standard recognising an Advanced Data Science Professional. This means that the Data Science community now has a recognised professional qualification, and routes to achieving it via several relevant professional bodies.’
Professor Paul Glaister CBE CMath CSci FIMA, IMA Hon Sec (Membership), Member of the AfDSP Governance Board, Chair of Assessment Panels for AdvDSP, Charterships – CMath, CSci, CMathTeach, and Fellowship at the IMA, said: ‘It is fantastic news for the Alliance to be chosen as a finalist in the British Data Awards 2024. This is testament to the Alliance’s achievements on establishing a common standard and professional recognition for those working in data science roles across many sectors through individual certification as either Data Science Professional (DSP) or Advanced Data Science Professional (AdvDSP).
‘As a member of the AI Skills Expert Panel for the Government’s Department for Innovation & Technology Science, Innovation (DSIT) I am acutely aware of the importance of professionals in many roles involving data science working towards an established standard which incorporates key skill areas and principles, for example those associated with ethics and sustainability, and to receive appropriate recognition having met this standard.
‘I am immensely proud to be part of the Alliance and its support of the Data Science community in this way, and equally delighted that the IMA was a founding member of the Alliance and now supporting this work as a member of the Alliance and through offering AdvDSP certification alongside its professional chartered designations. I am therefore doubly pleased that the Alliance has been chosen as a finalist in these prestigious Awards.’
The British Data Awards 2024 will announce Winners across some 24 categories and several Highly Commended awards will also be presented. This year the ‘Data Transformation of the Year’ category received the most entries.
Other categories include ‘Data Leader of the Year’ and ‘Technology Company of the Year’, while new categories including ‘Data Team of the Year’ and ‘Data Management Solution of the Year’ were introduced to help showcase and celebrate the achievements of a diverse range of organisations and people.
The British Data Awards 2024 all-star judging panel includes:
Neil Carden: President, EMEA at Blend
Dr Sophie Carr: Founder at Bays Consulting
Caroline Carruthers: CEO at Carruthers and Jackson
Dr Roxane Heaton: Chief Information Officer at Macmillan Cancer Support
Rob Holtom: Executive Director, Digital, Data & Tech at the Information Commissioner’s Office
Dr Johanna Hutchinson: Chief Data Officer at BAE Systems
Jason Johnson: Co-Founder at Predatech
Kinnari Ladha: Chief Data Officer at Merlin Entertainments
Sami Rahman: Director of Data at Hypebeast
Niresh Rajah: Group Chief Data Officer at Danske Bank
Adam Ryan: Chief Data Officer at Calligo
Romit Sen: Head of Data Science at British Airways
Dr Jo Watts: CEO & Founder at Effini
Finalists will be celebrated, and Winners will be announced, at an awards ceremony taking place on the 8th of May at the iconic Great Hall of the Grand Connaught Rooms in London.
