Newcastle firm wins AI and digital transformation award. 21st October Tom Lawson, chief executive of Opencast (Image: Nick Morrish) A North East technology consultancy has won a major international award for its work in artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Newcastle-based Opencast was named AI & Digital Transformation Company of the Year at the GP Bullhound Allstars Awards in central London. The awards recognise leading businesses, investors and individuals across Europe's technology sector. Tom Lawson, chief executive of Opencast, said: "We've never been a business that shouts loudly about its work, so to receive this recognition is a proud moment which belongs to our talented people and reflects the care they bring to their work every day. "We're proud our clients and partners trust us to help solve complex challenges, explore new possibilities and deliver work that matters. "Our people deliver meaningful impact for our clients and the people who use the services we help to build. "I'm grateful for their continued confidence and collaboration. "Together, we're showing what it means to make life better through the power of people and technology." Founded by Charlie Hoult and Mike O'Brien in 2012, Opencast has grown from a software consultancy into a major digital transformation provider. Opencast became a B Corp in June 2024 and now helps organisations, including government departments, design, build and run better digital services. Now in their 24th year, the Allstars Awards celebrate the growth and maturity of Europe's technology sector. Manish Madhvani, co-founder and managing partner at GP Bullhound, said: "Europe now produces companies that compete for global markets from day one, and this year's winners show it. "Congratulations to every winner and shortlisted company." Opencast also won several awards in 2024, including Fastest Growing Large Tech Business at the Northern Tech Awards. It has also been shortlisted for two awards at this year's Dynamites: Growth Explosion and Outstanding Workplace. The Dynamites Awards take place at Newcastle Civic Centre on Thursday, November 12. By the end of August, Opencast had secured £91.7 million in contracted work and expected full-year revenue to top £70 million, up around 40 per cent on last year. The company has hired more than 300 people in the past 12 months, taking its workforce above 800. Government contracts have driven much of Opencast's growth, with clients including HM Revenue & Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions. The consultancy secured a two-year, £32 million contract with the DWP in 2024 and has also worked with the education, justice and defence departments. Opencast has since announced new work with the Home Office and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, plus contract extensions with HMRC, DWP and NHS England. A spokesperson said: "These relationships demonstrate how an independent consultancy founded in Newcastle has established itself as a significant supplier of digital services to government, while continuing to grow its work in the healthcare, utilities and renewable energy sectors." In 2022, the founders announced a share-options scheme under which they committed to give colleagues a third of their shares in the business.

North East tech consultancy Opencast wins international award. Independent tech consultancy Opencast has won a major international award, recognising the growing company's innovative work in AI and digital transformation. The prestigious GP Bullhound Allstars Awards are held annually to celebrate the founders, investors, and companies who are rewriting what's possible across Europe's technology ecosystem. GP Bullhound is an international technology investment bank. At last week's awards ceremony, held at the iconic Outernet venue in central London, the Newcastle-based consultancy was named AI & Digital Transformation Company of the Year. Opencast Chief Executive Tom Lawson said: "We've never been a business that shouts loudly about its work, so to receive this recognition is a proud moment which belongs to our talented people and reflects the care they bring to their work every day. "We're proud our clients and partners trust us to help solve complex challenges, explore new possibilities and deliver work that matters. Our people deliver meaningful impact for our clients and the people who use the services we help to build. "I'm grateful for their continued confidence and collaboration. Together, we're showing what it means to make life better through the power of people and technology." Founded in 2012 by entrepreneurs Charlie Hoult and Mike O'Brien, Opencast initially focused on software development and helping organisations solve complicated IT problems. The company achieved B-Corp status in June 2024 and now helps organisations, including government departments, design, build and operate digital services that are easier to use, more effective and more sustainable. Now in its 24th year, the Allstars has tracked the rise of European tech from a handful of breakout companies to a mature ecosystem with globally competitive businesses at every stage. This year's winners cover the full lifecycle: young founders building in health tech and AI, high-growth companies scaling across borders, the funds backing them, and the exits returning capital to the market. Manish Madhvani, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at GP Bullhound, said: "Europe now produces companies that compete for global markets from day one, and this year's winners show it. From seed funds backing first-time founders to exits like Faculty, the ecosystem is building, scaling and returning capital at a level that would have been hard to picture when we launched Allstars 24 years ago. Congratulations to every winner and shortlisted company." Among a clutch of other recent award wins, in 2024, Opencast won the Fastest Growing Large Tech Business at the GP Bullhound sponsored Northern Tech Awards, confirming its status as the fastest-growing large tech company in the North. This year, Opencast has been shortlisted in two categories at the regional Dynamites Awards, which recognise the North East's leading technology businesses and talent. The company is a finalist in the Growth Explosion and Outstanding Workplace categories at the awards, which take place at Newcastle Civic Centre on Thursday, November 12. Earlier this month Opencast confirmed by the end of August the company had £91.7m of contracted work in its backlog and it expected full-year revenue to exceed £70m, about 40 per cent higher than 2025. More than 300 people have joined Opencast over the last 12 months, taking its headcount to more than 800. The company has developed a presence across the UK and government work has been central to Opencast's success, with major clients including HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The company announced a £32m, two-year DWP contract in 2024 and has also worked with the Department for Education, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Defence. More recently, it reported new engagements with the Home Office and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, alongside expanded work with HMRC, DWP and NHS England. These relationships demonstrate how an independent consultancy founded in Newcastle has established itself as a significant supplier of digital services to government, while continuing to grow its work in the healthcare, utilities and renewable energy sectors.