Data expert scoops national award

A data engineer at East Midlands Chamber has won a national award for using data to drive inward investment.

Harsh Shah, a knowledge transfer associate based at the chamber, beat off competition from 20 other finalists to be crowned with the Future Leader Award at the Innovate UK KTP Awards.

As part of his role, which was created last year in a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) between the chamber and De Montfort University, Harsh creates data-driven insights about the East Midlands economy that can be used to improve competitiveness and productivity across the region.

He said: “I am overwhelmed to win this award, which is wonderful recognition for all the hard work we have been doing at the chamber and DMU in establishing a regional business intelligence unit.”

Chris Hobson, director of policy and external affairs at East Midlands Chamber, said: “Harsh is a hugely deserving recipient of the Future Leader Award after demonstrating tremendous leadership skills in turning an idea into a commercially viable product, while also showing a real eagerness to immerse himself into the organisation and a commercial environment.

“More broadly, this recognition also helps us to demonstrate the power of data in business decision-making, as we firmly believe the insights we are creating will bring tangible rewards for the East Midlands economy by improving productivity and attracting inward investment.”