Welsh Ambulance Digital Director named in CIO 100 UK 2026

25.09.26

Jonny Sammut, Director of Digital Services at the Welsh Ambulance Service, has been named in the CIO 100 UK 2026, recognising him among the UK’s leading digital and technology executives.

The CIO 100 Awards UK, celebrates some of the most innovative and impactful technology leaders in the country, recognising senior executives who are delivering meaningful organisational outcomes through digital leadership, strategic vision and technology innovation.

With a global heritage spanning more than three decades, the CIO 100 is recognised across major technology markets including the UK, US, Europe, Asia and Australia, and is often referred to as the ‘Oscars of the IT industry’.

Recognition is based not simply on the delivery of an individual technology project, but on evidence of wider leadership and impact – including the delivery of technology-enabled change, measurable organisational value, strategic alignment, collaboration, culture and capability, and the effective adoption of emerging technologies.

Speaking after the awards, Jonny said: “Being recognised in the CIO 100 is genuinely a huge honour.

“It is one of those things that you look at during your career and see some extraordinary people and organisations represented, so to now be part of it means an enormous amount to me.

“It’s a huge personal honour to be recognised in the CIO 100, and I’m proud of what it says about the leadership and transformation we’re driving.

“At the same time, none of that happens in isolation – it reflects the work of an exceptional Digital Services team and colleagues right across the Welsh Ambulance Service.”

Jonny Sammut was appointed as Director of Digital Services at the Welsh Ambulance Service in September 2023, where he has been a passionate advocate for innovation, remaining committed to challenging conventional approaches and driving transformative change in digital services.

His approach has focused on ensuring that the fundamentals of digital services, such as cyber security and resilience, remain strong, while creating the conditions for the organisation to challenge conventional approaches and make greater use of digital services, data, automation and emerging technologies to improve services for patients and colleagues.

Jonny has over two decades of leadership experience across digital, technology and data services in the public and private sectors, including previous senior roles with the North West Ambulance Service, Health Management Ltd, Capita plc and Aviva plc.

Jonny continued: “My view has always been that digital cannot be about technology for technology’s sake.

“It has to make a difference – making services safer and simpler, helping our people do their jobs more effectively and, ultimately, helping us provide better care for patients.

“That means getting the everyday fundamentals right, but it also means being prepared to challenge convention, ask why things have always been done a particular way, experiment, learn quickly and be ambitious about what technology, data, automation and AI could enable for our services.

“I’m proud of the role I’ve played in setting the direction and creating the conditions for change, but the impact is delivered by an exceptionally talented team and by colleagues across the Trust who are willing to think differently about how digital can help solve some of the challenges we face.

“I’m particularly proud to see work taking place here in Wales recognised alongside technology leaders from some of the biggest and most innovative organisations in the UK.

“It demonstrates that innovation and digital leadership in public services can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with any sector.

“So yes, I’m personally incredibly chuffed – but most of all, I’m proud of what it says about our team, our organisation and the ambition we have for digital services in Wales.”

The scale of the CIO 100 is reflected in previous lists, which have included technology leaders from organisations such as Formula 1, Starbucks, Bentley Motors and major NHS organisations, alongside some of the UK’s largest businesses and public bodies.