Inspirational tech teams from across the county gathered virtually in kitchens, dining rooms and offices to celebrate the third annual Swindon & Wiltshire IT and Technology Awards – The Wiltshire Techies – on Thursday 5th November. This year, more than ever, Techies Founder, Anita Jaynes and her team felt it was important to recognise the county’ s tech talent and celebrate the most exciting and innovative tech firms right on our doorstep.

“ The challenge was definitely on to

deliver the Techies Awards Swindon & Wiltshire 2020,” said Anita.“ Coronavirus played havoc with our plans on more than one occasion, but we managed to carve a way regardless.

“ We were hoping to host Wiltshire’ s first hybrid event( virtual with live elements) in a professional TV studio, but that wasn’ t to be, as the Prime Minister announced that the second UK lockdown was to begin on the night of our awards ceremony!

“ Alongside my trusted team, I worked fast to pull out all the stops to make it possible for the evening to go ahead, delivering finalist packages and goodie bags to make the night more interactive. We even created

a Techies Playlist, so that attendees could enjoy the same experience, even if they couldn’ t be in the room at the same time. Despite all the hard work, it’ s been fantastic to have something positive to celebrate at a challenging time for us all.

“ Huge congratulations to all of our winners and finalists. Your talent is the hope we all need right now to see the future potential of the place we call our home, Wiltshire!”

Attendees received a‘ Techies Tuck Pack’, filled with naughty but nice goodies such as artisan chocolates( Hollychocs), ice cream( Fluffy Puffin), gin( Downton Distillery), beer( Kettlesmith Brewery) and coffee( Dusty

Ape). As part of the evening’ s entertainment, there were also live foodie demos as well as live music from Oli Love aka DJ Asian Hawk.

Judge, James Eades, Systemagic, said,“ In a year where technology has played a huge role in keeping the economy, and life in general, moving, it has been fantastic to read so many strong awards entries from Wiltshire’ s finest digital and technology companies. Wiltshire continues to produce innovative, clever and lucrative tech, creating jobs and raising the profile of our county. The Techies once again gives a voice to this sector and it has been a privilege to be involved in the process.”