Essex + Herts Digital Innovation Zone (DIZ) has, following a public vote, received national recognition as one of the Top 3 Cross-Sector Digital Collaborations in the Digital Leaders DL100 2020 list.
The DIZ had previously been announced as one of the ten finalists in the category. The final category winner will now be determined following a final round of judging and announced on 15 October as part of the Digital Leaders DL Week.
Digital Leaders is a shared professional online space and face-to-face programme for leaders across all sectors promoting effective, long-term digital transformation. The Digital Leaders DL100 list, backed by Government departments and major UK digital companies, celebrates the teams and individuals who are working hard behind the scenes to secure the UK’s Digital Transformation.
This recognition follows on from the recent award of £1.7m of funding to the DIZ for the delivery of a full fibre broadband network to all of the GPs across the DIZ area.
The DIZ is working to be the best-connected place of its type in the UK. A place of innovation and inclusion, where the benefits of digital investment are maximised and shared among residents, businesses and visitors from across the area.
Councillor Alan Lion, Chair of the DIZ and Epping Forest DC Digital Champion & Lead Member, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have seen all the hard work of the members and partners of the Essex and Hertfordshire Digital Innovation Zone (DIZ), from all sectors, recognised in this way. In particular, this recognises the time that these partners, especially in the voluntary community sector, have given up to support and deliver this work.”
Councillor Linda Haysey, Vice-Chair of the DIZ and Leader of East Herts DC, said: “The DIZ is an exciting new approach to leading and coordinating digital developments in a place and this top three placing is further acknowledgement and endorsement of both the approach and ambition of the DIZ.”
Councillor Tony Ball, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Essex County Council, said: “We want Essex to be at the forefront of digital innovation and this recognition of the DIZ helps to put us on the map. Essex County Council has been very happy to support the DIZ from the beginning.”
Councillor David Holliday, Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Environment Broxbourne BC, said: “Broxbourne is really proud of this recognition of the work of the DIZ. We want our area to be the best-connected place of its type in the UK and this endorsement will raise the profile of the digital opportunities available through collaboration and the investment and job prospects through the digital innovation it can deliver.”
Councillor James de Vries, Topic Lead for Digital Strategy at Uttlesford DC, said: “To have a local collaboration that is recognised in this way, one that cuts across all sectors and administrative boundaries, is a further endorsement of the hard work of people right across all the district councils involved.”