Under the vaulted ceilings of one of London’s most storied venues, one hundred and twenty of the European’s pre-eminent digital leaders gathered for the CIONET Awards 2026 Gala event. A symphony of innovation, leadership, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
The evening commenced with a tribute to the power of voice and influence. Daniel Eycken, Partner and COO of CIONET opened the floor with the presentation of the Best Country Speaker awards, recognising those who have not only mastered their craft but have the rare ability to inspire a nation through their words.
The atmosphere grew electric as we transitioned into the European CIO of the Year segment. Four formidable nominees took to the stage, delivering presentations that offered a masterclass in strategic foresight. Each showcased the grit and ingenuity required to steer the ships of industry through the complex waters of the modern digital landscape.
⭐ Winner: Michał Paprocki, Group CIO, Executive Committee, Euroclear
⭐ Vanessa Escriva, Group CTDO, Executive Committee, Mapfre
⭐ Esmeralda Waterreus, CIO, Pharming | former VP, Global Head of Enterprise Portfolio Group at Philips
⭐ Felipe Peñacoba Martinez, CEO, PagoNxt Payments Hub | former CIO and Board Member of Revolut Bank
The crescendo of the night arrived with the celebration of our Nominees and Winners. In an "Oscars-style" gala of high-stakes recognition, we toasted the pioneers across 4 critical pillars of technology:
3.1 Applications & Architecture: For the builders of the tools we can't live without and the master planners of digital ecosystems.
Winner: Claudio Balbo, Senior Director - Head of IT Architecture, Intesa Sanpaolo
3.2 Data & AI: For the alchemists turning raw information into intelligence.
Winner: Rajat Dhawan, Group CDTO, Soho House
Winner: Krzysztof Słotwiński, CSO, BNP Paribas Bank Polska
Winner: Laura Garrido, CTO, Ferrovial
As the champagne flowed and the music swelled, the spirit of collaboration was palpable. Beyond the trophies and the accolades, the CIONET Awards 2026 served as a poignant reminder: while technology drives us forward, it is the vision of these leaders that ensures we arrive at a better tomorrow.
To our winners, our nominees, partner Splunk, and our guests- thank you for making the CIONET Awards Gala a night of unparalleled sophistication.
The future is bright, and it is being built right here.
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