NetDespatch helps Amtrak's Phil Young to CIO Innovator of the Year Award
24 Febuary 2006

Phil Young, Head of IT at Amtrak Express Parcels, has won the prestigious CIO Innovator of the Year Award. The award is given to the Chief Information Officer or IT Director who has demonstrated a willingness to innovate using products or services from growth technology firms in the UK. Young has pioneered the use of the latest web technology and wireless data collection from two UK emerging technology firms, NetDespatch and Unique ID.

The winners of the 8th annual UK Technology Innovation & Growth Awards were announced on Tuesday 21st February 2006 at a spectacular gala evening at the London Metropole. An influential audience of over 600 investors, technology companies, users, and experts gathered to celebrate the individuals and companies that are driving the UK technology industry into the future.

The CIO Innovator of the Year Award recognises individuals who have gone the extra mile to identify the right technologies for their business and been open to taking risks on new and innovative solutions. Young has revolutionised Amtrak’s business and given the company a clear lead in the UK overnight parcel sector.

Amtrak is a growing force in home deliveries; an expanding sector due to the boom in online retailing. NetDespatch provides Amtrak with innovative web services technology that allows Amtrak customers to book, track and manage their deliveries online as part of an integrated e-commerce customer service and communication solution. Unique ID supply wireless data collection systems giving Amtrak a special capability in fragile goods handling and track and trace.

The awards ceremony was hosted by former CNN anchor John Defterios, the evening was opened by Rt Hon Sir Richard Needham, Deputy Chair, Dyson, who emphasised the importance of innovation and entrepreneurial flair to the continuing health and growth of the UK technology sector. Sponsored by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the awards received a record number of entries and were judged by a panel of experienced industry figures, analysts, journalists and technologists.

The other finalists for the CIO Innovator of the year award were Peter Pedersen of Blue Square, Al-Noor Ramji of BT Group, JP Rangaswami of Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and Frank Coyle of Menzies Distribution.

“This award is great news for Amtrak Express Parcels and our industry. Technology is crucial for maintaining a leading edge in today’s competitive business world. The innovation provided by NetDespatch and Unique ID is really world class and can be applied anywhere. It just illustrates that in the UK we have world-beating technology that promises to give our transport and logistics industry global recognition” Said Phil Young, Head of IT, Amtrak Express Parcels Limited.