2025 Judges

Aislinn Gannon

Client Director, 4OC

With more than 33 years of experience in health services, non-profit organisations, and the private sector, Aislinn Gannon is a respected leader in public sector digital transformation in the UK and Ireland. As Client Director at 4OC, she empowers clients through people-centric service designs and ensures digital solutions have a positive impact on staff and end users.

Previously, AislAislinn Gannon, Client Director, 4OC

inn held senior leadership roles, including Digital Health General Manager at the HSE, Health Informatics Director at Health Bridge Technology, and UK Director for SilverCloud Health, where she specialised in digital behavioural systems, large-scale transformation, and national digital health strategies. She has also held key positions within the NHS, shaping digital change at scale.

Aislinn is a thought leader in digital transformation and holds two MSc degrees in Digital Transformation and Health Informatics. Along with this, she has more than 20 publications on digital innovations. She is a 2024 Women in STEM Health Technology Award Winner and specialises in human-centered, outcome-driven transformation  

As a judge for the Public Service Digital Transformation Awards, Aislinn ensures that innovation is valued not just for its technical feasibility but for its real-world impact on public services.

Allan Chapman

Managing Director, Comit Communications

Allan Chapman is a leading figure in the technology communications sector, having established Comit Communications in 1997. Comit is Ireland’s specialist technology focused PR and digital communications agency.

Allan’s strategic insights and innovative approaches have propelled more than 150 technology companies, ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to high-potential startups, towards significant growth.

Allan’s passion lies in crafting unique and authentic brand identities for tech businesses, through clear, impactful communications that resonate with audiences. 

His tenure as EMEA campaign manager for Oracle saw him managing substantial direct marketing campaigns across over thirty countries, where he pioneered some of the industry’s most cutting-edge digital campaigns.

Allan also led marketing for Cornel and Software Dimensions, where he honed his skills in the communications and software export markets. His international experience includes positions in the UK and US, further broadening his global perspective.

Allan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Marketing from the University of Limerick and has furthered his education with Postgraduate Diplomas in Marketing Strategy from the IMI and in Enterprise Development from the Dublin Institute of Technology. 

Brendan Ring

National Cyber Security Centre, Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

Brendan Ring is a member of the National Cyber Security Centre where he has led on external relations with Government, critical infrastructure providers, business, and the public. He is currently working in the Department of  the Environment, Climate and Communications on the development of cyber security policy and legislation.

He previously worked in the Department of Transport where he led the Aviation Security Unit for a number of years, introducing a number of initiatives to increase security nationally and internationally. He also served in the Department of Health during the Covid 19 pandemic working on health protection, enabling the safe relaxation of restrictions on our economy and society. Within the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, he played a leading role on a number of public service reform projects in Shared Services, Public Procurement and Capability Reviews of Government Departments.

He is a Barrister-at-Law and holds a Masters in Public Management, and also holds relevant postgraduate qualifications in the areas of innovation, leadership and digital policy.

Cathal Lee

Senior Advisor in Government Affairs, Strategy and Corporate Affairs

Cathal Lee is a Senior Advisor in Government Affairs, Strategy and Corporate Affairs.

An experienced Board Member and Non Executive Director (INED), Cathal is an advisory council member of the Global Economic Summit, an advisory board member of Asia Matters and is a graduate of University College Dublin with an MA in History of International Relations and a BA in History and Politics. He is a graduate of the Asia Europe Foundation (ASEF) University and represented Ireland at the 9th Asia-Europe Young Leaders Symposium held in Beijing, China.

Cathal has over 20 years’ industry experience in public affairs and corporate communications, having previously served as a political adviser in the Houses of the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament) and then managing public affairs for the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). Until 2019, he was Chief Executive Officer of LeeCommunications, a company he established to provide public affairs and corporate communications support to a large number of organisations and businesses. Most recently Cathal was Managing Partner with Instinctif Partners, the international business communications consultancy.

Over the course of his career Cathal has advised businesses of all sizes, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to high growth technology start-ups, as well as business associations, member organisations, non-governmental organisations and political leaders on public affairs strategies and corporate communications.

Cathal co-founded EnergyCloud, a social enterprise founded to help divert surplus renewable energy to those in fuel poverty or at risk of fuel poverty.

Cathal is a former Board Member of the National Youth Council of Ireland and previously represented Ireland as a member of the European Youth Parliament.

Jakub Christoph

CEPIS and ITPE Secretary General

Jakub Christoph is the CEPIS and ITPE Secretary General since September 2021. He coordinates the work of both organisations to promote IT professionalism by fostering professional standards and experience sharing among IT professionals; community.

He previously held the position of Regional Development Manager for Europe and MENA in ICDL Foundation. His role involved coordinating activities of ECDL/ ICDL Operators, advocacy for digital literacy and its certification in Europe and MENA region.

He is a passionate advocate of user digital skills and professional competence development. He was a member of ET2020 Working Group DELTA, which is European Commission platform to discuss digital competence in education.

Jakub also participates in works of EURid Strategic Committee. His professional interests include tackling digital social and gender gap as well as modern means of communication.

Lorraine Smyth Msc.

e-Enabler, Digital Solutions, Change and Innovation Manager, HSE

Lorraine is an accomplished e-Enabler and Digital Solutions Manager at the Health Service Executive (HSE), where she excels in providing digital solutions for redesigned healthcare pathways. With 23 years of experience in the HSE, Lorraine has made significant contributions in both procurement and digital technology, successfully rolling out numerous digital projects on a national scale.

Lorraine serves as the HSE Innovation Lead for our public service innovation under the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER). She has also been Ministerially appointed to the Communications and Engagement Committee for the Government Data Governance Board, reflecting her expertise and leadership in the field.

Her achievements have been recognised with prestigious awards, including the Women in STEM Award for Health Technology in 2023/24, and the Women in IT Digital Transformation Leader of the Year and Innovator of the Year in 2021.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Lorraine played a pivotal role as the National Lead for the Covid Patient Monitoring App and the National Covid Laboratories Logistics Lead. Her efforts were instrumental in managing and mitigating the impact of the pandemic through innovative digital solutions.

Lorraine is also a co-founder of the HSE Digital Academy Forum, which fosters digital innovation within the healthcare sector. Beyond her professional commitments, she serves as a Non-Executive Director at Amnesty International Ireland, where she pursues her keen interest in leveraging technology for social good.

Sabahat Khan

Assistant Chief Executive / Chief Information Officer, Local Government Management Agency (LGMA

Sabahat “Saab” Khan is a globally astute, goals-driven senior executive with extensive expertise in strategic planning, technology management, product management, financial management, and organizational development. As the Assistant Chief Executive Officer and Chief Information Officer at the Local Government Management Agency, Saab is responsible for overseeing Information Technology and Cybersecurity services, and implementing the Local Government Digital & ICT Strategy 2030, focused on driving the digital transformation of the 31 local councils in the Republic of Ireland, ensuring the implementation of best-in-class cybersecurity frameworks and incorporating emerging technologies to enhance government services. With a proven track record of leading large-scale business and technology transformation initiatives, Saab collaborates with all levels of the enterprise, including the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, to drive operational efficiency, risk management and cost containment.

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