Professor Adam Beaumont wins 2020 Digital Leaders 100 Founders Award
It is with great pride that we announce aql Founder & CEO, Professor Adam Beaumont has been awarded the coveted Digital Leaders 100 Founders Award for 2020. The award recognises Adam’s continued entrepreneurial and angel investor efforts that have seen him drive digital transformation across the UK with his companies aql, BlueWave and NorthInvest. It also acknowledges his support and co-investment in some of the most ground-breaking tech start-ups across the north of the country that include jet-suit company Gravity and self-powered Internet of Things (IoT) connected hand sanitiser business, Handi. Adam is well recognised within the communications industry as a board member of UK5G and spearheading aql’s rollout of secure 5G networks across the globe. He also co-founded IXLeeds, the first, fully independent internet exchange outside London, and is the founder of the Isle of Man’s only internet exchange, ManxIX. The Digital Leaders 100 Awards celebrate the individuals and organisations from the public, private and non-profit sectors who are demonstrating a pioneering and sustainable approach to digital transformation. The annual awards recognise 100 people, organisations and programmes across the UK and has previously featured industry names such as Martha Lane-Fox, Mike Bracken, Liam Maxwell, Seyi Akiwowo, Kevin Cunnington and Eileen Burbidge. The award was presented to Adam by 2019 Founders Award winner Leigh Smith, who was awarded for her work on shining a light on digital inclusion and is responsible for designing the largest Digital Advocacy network of Digital Champions in the UK. Robin Knowles, CEO of Digital Leaders, commented: “This year’s Founders Award has gone to someone who like many digital leaders bestrides sectors being an academic, former civil servant and now entrepreneur. Adam embodies the digital behaviours of thinking across sectors, being very open to new ideas, always generous in sharing his expertise and resources, plus encouraging others to achieve great digital transformation. His passion for driving a digital society has also led him to become an Honorary Consul of the Republic of Estonia, a leading digital nation, and a devoted environmentalist, he is a Trustee of the Eden Project and non-executive board director of Eden Project International Ltd (EPIL). So, for all the above, Adam gets my vote.” “I am truly grateful to have received the Digital Leaders 100 Founders Award,” comments Professor Adam Beaumont. “I’ve always believed that technology should have a positive impact on both the economy and society. This belief drives me to make sure all my work reflects using technology for good. It is also important as digital leaders we support and mentor the next generation of scientists and technologists, so it is great to see so many future leaders being recognised in these awards too. Well done and congratulations to all this year’s winners.” To watch the 2020 Digital Leaders 100 Awards virtual ceremony in full, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZQwWxSfA9E&t=72s
