Craig is an award-winning leader

Web Applications UK Chief Executive Craig Dean

Web Applications UK Chief Executive Craig Dean has won the Leadership Award at the Big Chip Awards, a regional tech industry competition organised by Manchester Digital.

Craig is also Chair of Oldham makerspace Hack Oldham and a Director of Oasis Community Learning.

Other winners on the night included household names such as Co-op Digital and BT.

Craig said: “What’s made me so happy is to see these tech companies recognise how important it is for us to actively support people into the industry – particularly young people.”

The awarding body staed: “The values [Craig] has created in his organisation, his passion for the younger generation, and how he has created a culture of learning and innovation is really fantastic.”

Craig’s win continues a successful spell of accolades for Oldham-based Web Applications, who were also awarded the prestigious Investors in People hallmark earlier this year, and the Princess Royal Training Award in 2017.

Craig’s dedication and innovative approach to employee learning and development was a key part of the win, so it is fitting that it also comes as the 2018 Web Applications UK industrial placement cohort begins their training.

The placement students, on a sandwich year from university, will spend 12 months in industry and develop an intimate understanding of working at a software development house.

To-date the scheme has launched the careers of hundreds of young engineers, many of whom have gone on to occupy senior roles at Web Applications and throughout the sector.

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