First Lady of Software recognised at Industry Awards
Last night (9th October) Ann Budge, CEO of Sopra Group was presented with a special award for her contribution to the Scottish software industry over the last thirty years. The award, at the ScotSoft Dinner where the Young Software Engineer of the Year Awards are announced, was given by ScotlandIS, the trade body for software, telecoms and IT services.
Presenting the award, Eddie Chance, Chair of ScotlandIS said “Ann Budge has not only been a supporter of ScotlandIS and the Young Software Engineer awards for many years, but has led Scotland’s largest software company and provided an example for many people across the industry. “
“We wanted to recognise her steadfast contribution to the Scottish software industry and honour her with a small token of our gratitude.”
Ann Budge co-founded Newell and Budge in 1985, building it over the next twenty years to be Scotland’s largest indigenous software company, with a substantial presence throughout the UK and Northern lreland and a subsidiary in India. The business became part of Sopra Group in 2005, and Ann continues to lead the Group in the UK as CEO of Sopra Group Ltd.
Prior to founding Newell & Budge, Ann held senior appointments within Scottish & Newcastle’s IT department and at FI. She is a member of the board of ScotlandIS, and a Strategic Panel member of the BCS Women’s Forum .
Her long standing contribution to the business community and IT industry as a whole, has made her an outstanding role model for women and an inspiration to everyone in software and computing.
Eddie Chance, Chair of ScotlandIS presenting Ann Budge
with her award for outstanding business achievement