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Nominate:
HotTopics Global C-suite Awards 2026

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2026 Nominations 

are now open

Nominate yourself, a peer, or an exceptional leader

The HotTopics Global C-suite Awards are peer-nominated, independently judged, and celebrated globally — recognising leadership that delivers real impact across business, technology, and transformation.

 

Award categories

Two programmes — C-suite and Future C-suite

C-suite

HotTopics Global CIO 100
HotTopics Global CISO 100
HotTopicsGlobal CDO 100
HotTopics Global B2B CMO 100
HotTopics Global Hall of Fame

Future C-suite

HotTopics Future CIO 100
HotTopics Future CISO 100
HotTopics Future B2B CMO 100

 

 

What makes a HotTopics Global C-suite Award winner

All awards are judged across four key areas that define a HotTopics Global Award winner.
Our judges look for leaders who create meaningful, measurable change — for their organisations, their teams, and their communities.

 

Functional Innovation

What is the most important positive change that you have made to your organisation this year? 

Leadership and strategic vision

Tell us 3 ways you have taken key stakeholders with you on the journey to make an important positive change

Team development

What positive change have you made for the people in your team(s) this year?

Community contribution

How have you given back to the community and/or your wider industry this year?





 

Start your nomination

Simply complete the form below to enter

This isn’t a popularity contest.
Multiple submissions won’t increase your chances — every nomination is reviewed independently by our judges and evaluated against the same criteria across all award categories.

Nominations close 1st May 2026.

Goodluck

 


 

Awards judges

Our judging panels are made up of respected industry leaders with deep expertise across business and technology.
Their insight ensures a fair, rigorous selection process that celebrates true excellence and innovation.
Alice Guehnnec

Alice Guehnnec

Directrice Tech, Data & Digital Groupe, Sodexo

Alla Whitston

Alla Whitston

Chief Information Officer, MUFG

Amit Sharma

Amit Sharma

Vice President Marketing, Tata Communications

Andy Caddy

Andy Caddy

CIO, PureGym

Andy Piper

Andy Piper

CISO, Barclays

Åshild Hanne Larsen

Åshild Hanne Larsen

Vice President Subsurface Excellence & Digital, Equinor

Ben Bachmann

Ben Bachmann

Director Group Security & Architecture, Bilfinger

Charles Forte

Charles Forte

DG CIO, UK Ministry of Defence

Chris Lugo

Chris Lugo

VP, CISO, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

Datta Junnarkar

Datta Junnarkar

CIO - Maritime, Boeing

Frankie Shuai

Frankie Shuai

CISO APAC, DWS Group

George Maropakis

George Maropakis

Global CISO, Advance Auto Parts

Hendy Harianto

Hendy Harianto

Group CIO, Meratus group

Howard Miller

Howard Miller

CIO, UCLA Anderson School of Management

Indu Sajeev

Indu Sajeev

CISO, ASOS

Ivan Sanchez Lopez

Ivan Sanchez Lopez

Group CISO, Bupa

Jamil Farschi

Jamil Farschi

CTO, Equifax

Jason Oliver

Jason Oliver

CTO, Western University

Jay Thurston

Jay Thurston

Field CISO, Thales

Jenny Rae

Jenny Rae

CIO, Imperial College

Joanna Drake

Joanna Drake

CTO, THG Ingenuity

John Sullivan

John Sullivan

CIO, Major League Soccer LLC

Justyna Larkowska

Justyna Larkowska

CISO, Everywhen

Karin Höne

Karin Höne

Group Chief Information Security and Risk Officer, Barloworld

Kiran Mahil

Kiran Mahil

CIO, Retail Products, Nationwide Building Society

Louise Leavey

Louise Leavey

Director Transformation Change and Control, DUAL Group

Manika Gupta

Manika Gupta

CIO, GE

Marina Spyrou

Marina Spyrou

CIO, PPFA

Mark Bramwell

Mark Bramwell

Chief Digital Information Officer and Director of Strategic Digital Partnerships, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

Meredith Harper

Meredith Harper

CISO Advisor, SYN Ventures

Miloš Topić

Miloš Topić

Vice President for IT and Chief Digital Officer, Grand Valley State University

Michael Saw

Michael Saw

Regional CSO, APAC, Siemens Energy

Munawar Valiji

Munawar Valiji

CISO, Close Brothers

Natasha Davydova

Natasha Davydova

CIO UK &I, AXA

Nick Edwards

Nick Edwards

Chief Digital Officer, The AA Ltd

Nick Giannakakis

Nick Giannakakis

Group CIO, Motor Oil

Nicole Keeley

Nicole Keeley

Director of Cyber & IT Risk, British Airways

Nikos Angelopoulos

Nikos Angelopoulos

CIO, MTN

Pedro Adamović

Pedro Adamović

CISO & Head of Fraud Prevention, Galicia Bank

Peter Gadd

Peter Gadd

Vice President Cyber Security, Airbus

Ravi Mani

Ravi Mani

Senior Vice President, Chief Information Security Officer, Quest Diagnostics

Rinki Sethi

Rinki Sethi

VP & CISO, BILL

Rohit Jain

Rohit Jain

CIO, Harvard Business School Alumni Association NC

Rosalia Hajek

Rosalia Hajek

CISO, Topgolf Callaway Brands

Sara Andrews

Sara Andrews

Global CISO, Experian

Stefan Weber

Stefan Weber

Leiter IT Operations & Shared Services Vertriebsplattform, DB Fernverkehr AG

Subash Sharma

Subash Sharma

CDO Personal & Private Banking, Absa Group

Sébastien Carrière

Sébastien Carrière

Group CTO & Group CISO, Louis Dreyfus Company

Vijay Samtani

Vijay Samtani

CISO, University of Cambridge

Doug Drinkwater

Doug Drinkwater

Editorial and Strategy Director,, HotTopics

 

FAQs

HotTopics Global C-suite Awards 2026

 

Who can be nominated?

Any senior technology or marketing leader — including CIOs, CISOs, CDOs, B2B CMOs, and rising Future C-suite talent (Future CIO, Future CISO, and Future B2B CMO) — who’s driving meaningful impact in their organisation or industry.

The HotTopics Global C-suite Awards celebrate both established leaders and emerging talent, recognising excellence across innovation, transformation, and leadership.

Can I nominate myself?

Yes — we encourage it. The HotTopics Global C-suite Awards are about recognising leadership and impact, whether you’re putting yourself forward, nominating a peer, or submitting on behalf of someone exceptional. We also welcome nominations from third parties and organisations who want to spotlight great leadership.

Can I nominate someone else?

Yes. You can nominate a peer, colleague, or another leader whose work deserves recognition. If you do, we’ll share your reason for nomination with them so they can complete their part of the entry.

Can I submit a nomination on behalf of my company or client?

Yes — we also accept third-party nominations from organisations, partners or agencies who want to recognise exceptional leadership.

How are the winners selected?

All nominations are reviewed by independent judging panels of senior executives from across business and technology. They assess each nominee based on our criteria: Functional Innovation, Leadership and strategic vision, Team development and Community contribution.

Is there a deadline for nominations?

Nominations close 1st May 2026.

Where do the award ceremonies take place?

The HotTopics Global C-suite Awards are celebrated at iconic venues around the world — including BAFTA in London, and the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.
Award winners are invited to join us in person and connect with peers through these unforgettable experiences, alongside exclusive virtual gatherings throughout the year.

Is there a cost to enter?

No — nominations are completely free. The HotTopics Global C-suite Awards are a celebration of leadership and impact.
Award winners are invited to join us at our global ceremonies and connect with peers through exclusive virtual and in-person experiences throughout the year.

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