CIONET Awards 2026: Part 1

Welcome to the first chapter of the CIONET Awards 2026. Europe’s premier digital leadership award competition spanning 8 countries: Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, Spain, Germany, France, Poland, and Italy. The best digital leaders from each country compete for ultimate recognition in their category, judged by a jury of top European digital leaders. This prestigious award highlights the leaders driving impactful, innovative, and people-focused digital transformation across Europe.

During this online event, the spotlight falls on two of the most critical arenas in modern enterprise: Applications & Architecture and Data & AI.

We are looking for true pioneers, the leaders who has fundamentally transformed their business. Prepare for an engaging session where each nominee will showcase their groundbreaking achievements, face questions from our esteemed jury and from you, our live audience, before a winner is chosen in each category.

Two awards, countless innovations. Let's discover who is setting the new standard.

Applications & Architecture

The Applications & Architecture category honours leaders who have significantly enhanced their organisation's strategic objectives, responsiveness, and customer experience through modernised applications and agile architecture. This award recognises the efficient management of resources to achieve these transformative goals.

The award winner will be a leader who has personally championed transformative architectural changes, measurably accelerated development, and delivered outstanding business value and innovation.

Data & AI

This category of the CIONET Awards 2026 celebrates digital leaders who have transformed their business through the breakthrough use of data and Artificial Intelligence. This award recognises individuals who have delivered clearly quantified, high-impact business results and significant value to their stakeholders.

The ideal winner will be a leader who demonstrates exceptional strategic foresight in building a data-driven culture, introducing pioneering AI solutions, and upholding ethical and transparent practices.

Programme

Join this high-energy conversation and celebration of great digital leadership!

Virtual Awards Ceremony

15:00

Welcome & Introductions

Applications & Architecture category

15:10

Nominees' Presentations and Q&A

Applications & Architecture category

15:50

Final Jury Deliberation

Applications & Architecture category

16:00

Announcing Runnerup & Winner

Applications & Architecture category

16:05

Short Break

16:10

Welcome Back & Introductions

Data & AI category

16:15

Nominees' Presentations and Q&A

Data & AI category

16:55

Final Jury Deliberation

Data & AI category

17:05

Announcing Runnerup & Winner

Data & AI category

17:10

Thank you to all - The End

Data & AI category

Nominees | Applications & Architecture

More to be revealed.

Hanna Huber-1

Hanna Huber

CTO

Flixbus

Hanna Huber leads the Technology division of the global mobility provider FLIX. She is an expert in technology strategy and the development and professionalisation of tech organisations with more than 20 years experience.

Before Flix, she was Chief Information & Digital Officer of the Swiss Calida Group. Prior to that, as Group Vice President Technology Strategy, she drove the development of the Otto Group into a fully digitalised retail and services company. She also held multiple tech leadership positions at Zalando - lastly as Director Technology Operations responsible for the operationalisation of Zalando's technology strategy.

Hanna started her career in multimedia agencies during the new economy, studied Electronic Business at the Udk Berlin, and earned her PhD at the Freie Universität Berlin with simulation of innovation diffusion processes.

CIONET Germany

Nominees | Data & AI

More to be revealed.

Giuseppe Ficara

Giuseppe Ficara

Global Senior Director Data & AI Officer

Amplifon

Giuseppe Ficara is Global Senior Director & Group Data & AI Officer at Amplifon, where he leads the company’s global Data & AI strategy, building scalable platforms, governance frameworks, and innovative AI and GenAI solutions to transform customer experience, operations, and business growth.

With over 15 years of experience across consulting and industry, Giuseppe has helped leading organizations in Retail, Healthcare, Utilities, High Tech, Financial Services, and Public Sector harness the power of data to reimagine processes, drive customer engagement, and unlock new business value.

Before joining Amplifon in 2023, he was Managing Director at Accenture, responsible for Data Strategy and AI across Italy, Central Europe, and Greece, where he also launched and directed a GenAI Studio in Rome, collaborating with 40+ clients to design, prototype, and scale AI-driven solutions. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles at Deloitte, Hewlett-Packard, and NTT Data, driving data transformation initiatives at both national and international scale.

Giuseppe graduated in International Economics and Finance from the University of Milan. Passionate about the intersection of technology, strategy, and human impact, he is a recognised voice in the Data & AI community, shaping the future of data culture, AI governance, and generative AI adoption in complex organisations worldwide.

CIONET Italy

Include more details about the session

Jesús Oliva

Jesús Oliva

Head of Data & AI

Moeve

Jesús Oliva is a passionate Data & AI leader with the soul of a mathematician and the mind of an engineer. He holds both a Master's degree and a PhD in Artificial Intelligence, providing him with deep theoretical foundations that he consistently translates into practical business impact. He has over 15 years of experience working in the world of data and AI, leading projects and teams at major multinational companies such as BBVA, Ferrovial, JTI, and Moeve.

As Head of Data & AI at Moeve, Jesús leads the corporate strategy in these areas, focusing on three core principles: Value - transparency in value measurement, People- structural collaboration across functions, and Tech - building reusable solutions that accelerate continuous innovation.

CIONET Spain

Jury Members | Applications & Architecture

More to be revealed.

Jury Members | Data & AI

More to be revealed.

José Senra_Pepsico

Jose Senra

Global Senior Director of Data Management Operations

Pepsico

Jose Senra is a senior IT and Data & AI leader, currently Global Senior Director of Data Management Operations at PepsiCo, leading master data maintenance globally from the PepsiCo Global Digital Hub in Barcelona. Previously he served as CIO for Benelux, France, DACH and Nordics and other roles driving strategy, transformation and deployments across Europe. He has held leadership roles at Hewlett‑Packard and Procter & Gamble and he has had assignments in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Glasgow and an Industrial Engineering degree from the University of Zaragoza.

CIONET Spain

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