Sunderland shortlisted for Smart City of the Year title

The City Council is celebrating after two nominations for digital leadership and city-wide digital transformation.

Already confirmed as one of the Digital Leaders 100 (DL100) List, the nomination means council chief executive Patrick Melia has made it into the top 10 in the Digital Leader of the Year 2020 category, and the city has been shortlisted for Smart City of the Year 2020.

The awards, due to take place on October 15 in Leeds, recognise the exceptional achievements of the UK’s leading Smart Cities as well as the outstanding efforts of the digitally focused individuals that lead them.

Mr Melia said: “I am honoured to be recognised amongst some of the UK’s principal leaders of digital transformation.

“The past year has seen us take huge strides towards some ambitious goals, fast becoming one of the leading Smart Cities across the UK.”

The council’s lead in employing a 5G WiFi network in less than three months to benefit some of the most disadvantaged, ensured that Sunderland’s Smart City programme delivered immediate benefits for people in those communities.

Mr Melia added: “To receive acknowledgement of our efforts as a council-led team working in partnership with numerous valued experts, in the form of a national award nomination for Sunderland, is both humbling and deeply deserved by the whole team.”

A public vote is now open to pick the winners. Vote for Sunderland via https://digileaders100.com