National Health and Social Care Strategic Information Governance Network Awards 2025 Finalists

The National Health and Social Care Strategic Information Governance Network (National SIGN) recently proudly announced the finalists of its 2025 Information Governance Awards:

Information Governance Professional of the Year

This category is for individuals who are exceptional, who have demonstrated qualities in the IG profession that deserve recognition in the year 2025/26.

• Adam Horton-Tuckett - Information Governance Consultancy Lead for NHS South Central & West Commissioning Support Unit
• Beth Crook - Senior IG Specialist for NHS England
• Dave Parsons - WASPI Code Manager for Wales Accord on the Sharing of Personal Information, Digital Health and Care Wales.
• Yagmur Sahin - Head of Data Protection & Data Protection for Data Privacy Simplified.

Information Sharing Champion (IS) of the Year

Someone who has contributed to information sharing that has had a positive impact. Any individual who has advocated or supported an information sharing initiative in 2025/26 and deserves recognition for their efforts.

• Chiedza Sauka - Deputy Head of Information Governance for HCRG Care Group.
• Dave Parsons - WASPI Code Manager for Wales Accord on the Sharing of Personal Information, Digital Health and Care Wales.
• Michael Morgan-Bullock - Head of Information Governance & Legal Services | Data Protection Officer for NHS Birmingham Community Healthcare Foundation

Information Governance Innovator of the Year

Someone who has come up with a concept or improvement that has had a tangible benefit on IG working practices.  This could be a service, a process, or a way of working that has impacted IG practices within a particular setting.

• Derek Stowe - Head of Information Governance/Cyber Security and Data Protection Officer for The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust
• Rob Neil - Deputy Head of Information Governance for Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Information Governance Team of the Year

A team that stands out from the norm. A team that has improved working practices, overcome significant challenges and obstacles and work in a positive manner to improve IG within their organisation or a wider context.

• NHS South Central & West Commissioning Support Unit IG team
• Sciensus Information Governance Team
• Wales Accord on the Sharing of Personal Information

Information Governance Human Encyclopaedia

Someone who works in IG that is considered the font of all knowledge. The person you know you can go to for advice, and they can always give you an answer, quote the relevant guidance and refer to it from memory!

• Ben Wilczynski - DPO for Innovate Healthcare Services Ltd, a joint venture company of South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust & George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust.
• Yvonne Silove - Associate Director for Quality and Development for Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership.

Outstanding Contribution to Information Governance

Someone who stands out in the profession. This is someone who we believe has made their mark in the field of IG and had a positive impact in some way.

• Derek Stowe - Head of Information Governance/Cyber Security and Data Protection Officer for The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust
• Hayley Gillingwater - Senior Information Governance Manager for Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board

Caldicott Champion Award

A new award recognising an individual or team that exemplifies the Caldicott principles and helps support the role or function of Caldicott, championing patient confidentiality and information sharing.

• Dr Hannah Graham - Deputy Chief Medical and Safety Officer for Herts Urgent Care (HUC)
• Dr Sean Whyte - Caldicott Guardian for Southwest London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust