Sarah Wilkinson named second most influential woman in UK IT

Sarah Wilkinson, the new CEO of NHS Digital, has been named the second most influential woman in UK IT.

Wilkinson received the accolade in Computer Weekly’s annual ‘50 Most Influential Women in UK Tech 2017’ list, the only woman from the health and care sectors on the list

The number one spot on the list went to Sherry Coutu, described by Computer Weekly, as one of Britain’s most successful angel investors,

The new head of NHS Digital only took up her role in August, suggesting the award was at least in part informed by Wilkinson’s previous Home Office role, where she worked closely with the then Home Secretary, now PM, Theresa May.

She was previously the chief technology officer at the Home Office, where she led critical IT systems supporting UK borders and policing.  In 2006 Wilkinson was ranked 26 in a list of most influential CIOs by CIO magazine.

Prior to the Home Office Wilkinson was managing director and head of corporate systems technology at Credit Suisse for over two years, having worked in various senior banking IT roles.  She was an executive director at Lehman Brothers between 1997 and 2007.

Wilkinson is the only leader from the health and social care sectors on this list, which is otherwise dominated by people connected with the London start-up scene, social enterprises related to digital initiatives, the financial and professional services sectors, and a smattering of blue chip corporates from media and retail.

The UK Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham features on the list at number 43

Helen Milner, chief executive, Good Things Foundation, formerly the Tinder Foundation, dedicated to promoting digital social inclusion, ranks at number 47.