Andrew, the founder of Scorchsoft, a leading app development agency in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, has won the Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year (GBYPY) Award in the Technology and Innovation category. The annual event took place at Eastside Rooms on Friday 22nd September, and the air was thick with anticipation.
Here is a short 3-minute video of the event highlights:
The BYPY Awards, a celebration of the city’s young talent, are no ordinary recognition. They are among the most sought-after accolades for young professionals in the city, a testament to the hard work, dedication and spirit of innovation of everyone recognised, including Andrew as he received his award.
Though the BYPY Award may be Andrew’s latest achievement, it’s certainly not his first. Over more than a decade Andrew has made his mark in the technology sector, growing Scorchsoft from a sole venture into a company known for innovation. His journey, marked by tenacity and strategic thinking, is an inspiration to budding tech enthusiasts.
But the BYPY Awards were not just about individual achievement. They were also a celebration of the collective spirit of innovation among Birmingham’s young professionals. Andrew was up against a strong list of fellow nominees, each a trailblazer in their own right: Benjamin Roberts of Medilink Midlands, Philip Costin of Correla, Laura Hunt of Intercity Technology Limited, Indu Saini of British Telecommunications, and Paris Lalousis of Bloomwise.
Andrew was quick to acknowledge the contributions of his fellow nominees: “The strength of Birmingham’s tech scene lies in its diversity and the innovative spirit of its professionals; I am honoured to have been nominated alongside such talented individuals.”
The BYPY Awards are organised by Future Faces, the young professionals’ arm of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, and they are a testament to the vitality and energy of the city’s young talent. This was the last year Andrew was eligible for the awards, and he couldn’t resist joking that he was bidding farewell to his “young” days in style with this award.
While the BYPY Award is a personal achievement for Andrew, it’s also a testament to the culture of innovation he has fostered at Scorchsoft. From leading the strategy and delivery of sophisticated software projects to helping others through technology, Andrew’s vision has been the driving force behind Scorchsoft’s success.
The award recognises not only Andrew’s technical ability but also his commitment to helping others. Whether it’s collaborating with Trade.Gov.UK to stimulate innovation, independently publishing books to demystify tech implementation, or mentoring a vulnerable asylum seeker, Andrew’s dedication to making a difference is plain to see.
Andrew’s win at the BYPY Awards is a strong validation of his belief in the power of technology to transform lives and businesses. As he stood there holding his award high, it was a moment of triumph not just for him but for every young professional who dares to dream and innovate. It was a celebration of the spirit of Birmingham, a city that nurtures talent, fosters innovation and champions the young.
As the evening drew to a close, Andrew had a message for all young professionals: “Play to win and in times of struggle, focus on what you can control.”
Here is a short video of the moment Andrew was announced as the winner:
The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce deserves a resounding round of applause for its tireless dedication to nurturing young professionals in the city. Its commitment to creating opportunities, fostering talent and providing a platform for innovation is truly commendable. Through initiatives such as the Future Faces division and the prestigious BYPY Awards, it is shaping the leaders of tomorrow and contributing significantly to Birmingham’s thriving business community. Its work is a testament to its belief in the power of youth and its commitment to the city’s future. So here’s to the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, the unsung heroes behind the city’s thriving young professional community.
You can see more photos of the evening here, courtesy of Mr Ladd Media.
What the award meant
In May 2024 the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce published a case study with Andrew about what winning meant. He had first applied in 2016 without success, and he describes how the award has helped Scorchsoft with customers and recruitment: “Running a business means you seldom receive the kind of validation or feedback you might get in a structured organisational environment.”
