press release
Published: 24 March 2025

Defence Data Research Centre named finalist in British Data Awards 2025

We are thrilled to announce that the Defence Data Research Centre (DDRC) has been named a finalist in the British Data Awards 2025 in the category of Data Team of the Year (less than 20 people). This prestigious recognition highlights our commitment to excellence and innovation in the field of data science. 

The British Data Awards is an annual initiative aimed at discovering and celebrating the UK’s data success stories. This year's nominees include FTSE 100 giants, public sector innovators, technology unicorns, rapidly growing scale-ups, essential not-for-profits, and everything in between.  

The competition was exceptionally strong, making our achievement as a finalist even more significant. 

We are very honoured and excited to be recognised as a finalist. This is a testament to the work the team has undertaken and the ways in which they collaborate across disciplines and learn from one another in an evolving and complex domain. Zena Wood, Director of the Defence Data Research Centre (DDRC)
Every organisation named a Finalist this year should be exceptionally proud of this achievement. By sharing your data success stories with us, you’re also helping to showcase the strength and vibrancy of the UK’s data ecosystem.

We're very pleased for Surrey to be part of DDRC and delighted to be shortlisted for this award in recognition of DDRC's exceptional interdisciplinary collaboration.
Jason Johnson, Co-Founder of Predatech and a judge for the British Data Awards, commented on the challenge of judging so many excellent entries.

The awards ceremony will take place on 14 May at The Brewery in London, where finalists will be celebrated and winners announced. Our progress thus far highlights our group's dedication, effort, and teamwork. We are proud to be acknowledged alongside such respected organisations and eagerly anticipate the upcoming ceremony. 

For more information about the British Data Awards and to view the full list of finalists, please visit Predatech's announcement

About DDRC 

The Defence Data Research Centre is part of the UK Government’s Defence AI Strategy and the Defence AI Centre. 

Awarded through competition and operating under the SERAPIS framework, the DDRC comprises a consortium led by the University of Exeter, supported by the Universities of Liverpool and Surrey, as well as the Digital Catapult and the Defence AI Centre. This consortium brings together a strong combination of expertise and enhances the technical and cultural capabilities at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) in their use of data science and AI. 

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