The UK’s deep tech industry came together in style at the 2025 TechWorks Awards & Gala Dinner, held on Wednesday, 3rd December at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. The event celebrated outstanding achievement, innovation, and leadership across the country’s technology industry.
The UK’s deep tech industry came together in style at the 2025 TechWorks Awards & Gala Dinner, held on Wednesday, 3rd December at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. The event celebrated outstanding achievement, innovation, and leadership across the country’s technology industry.
Hosted by renowned comedian Ian Stone, the black-tie evening showcased the very best of the UK’s deep tech community, celebrating rising stars alongside established industry leaders who are shaping and accelerating the nation’s technology ecosystem. The prestigious awards dinner welcomed more than 300 attendees, bringing together professionals from across large and mid-sized enterprises, pioneering start-ups, investors, academic and research leaders, industry experts, and key representatives from government and public sector bodies.
This year marked the debut of the Women in TechWorks Award, a new initiative designed to celebrate, support, and accelerate women in tech at all stages of their careers. Jennifer Walls’ recognition sets a high benchmark for future awardees and highlights the growing importance of diversity and inclusion in the industry.
Other notable winners included Sam Kennedy, who received the UKESF Scholar of the Year Award and was honoured for exceptional academic achievement and contribution to the engineering sector. Henry Richards from Plessey was crowned Young Engineer of the Year in recognition of his innovative engineering work and impact on the industry.
Smith Optical won ChipStart of the Year for its entrepreneurial vision and success in advancing groundbreaking semiconductor technology to market. Bal Panaser was presented with the Contribution to Industry Award, celebrating his lasting influence, leadership, and dedication to strengthening the UK tech community.
Charles Sturman, CEO of TechWorks, commented, “The TechWorks Awards are an opportunity to shine a light on the talent, innovation, and leadership that make the UK a global leader in deep tech. This year’s winners demonstrate not only outstanding technical achievement but also commitment to shaping the future of our industry.”
The gala dinner combined celebration with networking, bringing together engineers, entrepreneurs, academics, and business leaders to honour the very best of UK deep tech.
Celebrating the 2025 Award Winners
This year’s winners represent the very best of UK tech—pushing boundaries, driving innovation, and setting new standards in excellence.
- Young Engineer of the Year Award – Henry Richards, Plessey Semiconductor
- Manufacturing Site of the Year Award – Custom Interconnect
- Cybersecurity Award – SECQAI Ltd
- Deep Tech Startup Award – Vaire Computing
- Women in TechWorks Award – Jen Walls, Clas-SiC
- Technology Breakthrough Award – Filtronic
- Automotive Systems Innovation Award – Beam Connectivity
- Entrepreneur Award – Simon Thomas
- Design Innovation Award – Oxford RF
- Contribution to Industry Award – Bal Panaser
- Company of the Year Award – Cambridge GaN
Each winner has demonstrated remarkable dedication, ingenuity, and leadership in their respective field. Their contributions continue to push the boundaries of what is possible within the tech ecosystem—from pioneering cybersecurity advancements to redefining manufacturing excellence and driving forward the next era of deep-tech innovation.
Young Engineer of the Year: Craig Lynch (PTW - Sponsor) and Henry Richards (Plessey - Winner)
Manufacturer of the Year: Tim Rumney (Custom Interconnect - Winner), Venothan Naidoo (ZEISS - Sponsor), John Boston (Custom Interconnect) and James Cotty (Custom Interconnect)ssey - Winner)
Cybersecurity Award: Rahul Tyagi (SECQAI)
Deep Tech Startup Award: Rodolfo Rosini and Paige Ziegler (both Vaire Computing - Winner)
Women in TechWorks Award: Jillian Hughes (Women in TechWorks - Sponsor) and Jen Walls (Clas-SiC - Winner)
Technology Breakthrough Award: Nat Edington (Filtronic) and Caroline O'Brien (CSA Catapult - Sponsor)
Technology Breakthrough Award: Nat Edington (Filtronic) and Caroline O'Brien (CSA Catapult - Sponsor)
Automotive Systems Innovation Award: Gunny Dhadyalla (AESIN), Rob Potter (BEAM Connectivity - Winner), Thomas Sors (BEAM Connectivity)and Lee Harrison (Siemens - Sponsor) and Caroline O'Brien (CSA Catapult - Sponsor)
Entrepreneur Award: Rebecca Dobson (Cadence - Sponsor) and Simon Thomas (Paragraf - Winner)
Design Innovation Award: Chris Mason (Greene Tweed - Sponsor), Kashif Siddiq (Oxford RF - Winner) and Alan Maher (Greene Tweed)
Contribution to Industry Award: Charles Sturman (TechWorks) and Bal Panaser (ZF - Winner)
Company of the Year Award: Neil Dickins (IC Resources - Sponsor), Simon Stacey (Cambridge GaN Devices - Winner) and John O'Donnell (VAT - Headline Sponsor)
