Codec shortlisted once again for Belfast Telegraph IT awards 2023

Codec is proud to announce we have been shortlisted once again in 3 categories at the forthcoming Belfast Telegraph IT Awards taking place on November 10th in The MAC Belfast:

• IT Services Company of the Year
• IT Woman of the Year
• Young IT Professional of the Year

Codec, a leading IT service provider, has made phenomenal strides this year, successfully completing transformative projects for esteemed institutions like NI Water, Queen’s University Belfast, and the University of Ulster, harnessing the latest in Microsoft SaaS and AI. Evident from their remarkable Net Promoter Score of 63 and the Microsoft Ireland Country Partner of the Year Award 2023, their commitment to excellence is unwavering. Our innovative approach has materialised in the form of AI-enhanced software projects, streamlined DevOps practices, and industry accelerators like the Regul8, which cuts down project initiation times. From a modest start with just two members in Belfast in 2016, Codec's impressive growth trajectory has landed them with over 50 staff in Northern Ireland and a substantial 18% revenue growth this past year, making them a standout candidate for the IT Services Company of the Year. 

Claire Sharpe is the quintessential IT Woman of the Year. Her visionary "Power Squads" methodology developed and delivered in the last 12 months, has reinvented how large-scale UK digital projects are managed and the same principles have been applied to local complex projects delivered in NI Courts, exemplifying innovation at its finest.  

Her results are not just impressive; they are groundbreaking, as evidenced by her leadership in delivering seven digital services for the UK Government's Major Projects Portfolio within an incredible timespan.  

Her commitment to customer satisfaction is unparalleled, championed by key stakeholders who acclaim her unique ability to navigate complex challenges.

Here’s what one of our key stakeholders had to say:  "Claire has an unwavering ability to ‘move mountains’ – tackling multifaceted issues, risks, and challenges – adapting her approach to any given situation without losing sight of the end project goals, standards, and principles. She’s a fantastic delivery lead and to the core, a fantastic person. Her approach brings out the best in people, ensuring well-being is an important pillar of the delivery culture and not just an afterthought." 

Steven McLaughlin, a graduate from QUB, swiftly advanced to a Senior Technical Consultant role, displaying unparalleled dedication, leadership, and technical prowess. Primarily acclaimed for his expertise in designing and implementing DevOps solutions, Steven was pivotal in NI Water's digital transformation. This transformation eradicated former paper-based processes by introducing an efficient digital portal, complete with Dynamics 365 backend applications and integrated features such as GIS maps. His technical mastery extended to the management of DevOps, handling Azure DevOps for the portal's code base, automating deployments, and ensuring quality control. Steven also showcased financial and data strategizing brilliance, migrating over 2 million customer records to Dynamics 365 and enabling diverse payment options.  

Outside technical endeavours, Steven's community commitment is evident in his work with charities like Ruhama and Flourish, educating vulnerable groups in IT. His exemplary contributions earned admiration from NI Water's CIO, underscoring his invaluable role in their digital journey.  

We wish both Claire and Steven the very best of luck at the awards ceremony taking place Friday 1oth November.