Chris May, the founding director of Bath specialist software house Mayden, has been recognised as one of the UK’s most ambitious business leaders.
The 50-strong list, produced by private equity firm LDC, celebrates the inspiring individuals behind some of the UK’s most successful and fast-growing medium-sized firms.
Supported by The Times and now in its fifth year, it attracted a record 750-plus nominations this year, proving, according to LDC, that ambition is alive and well despite the challenges faced by increasing economic uncertainty.
Chris, pictured, founded Mayden 22 years ago in the aftermath of the dotcom crash and with a mission to create digital technology that changes what is possible for clinicians and patients.
Now employing 120 people, the business has maintained Chris’s belief that healthcare could and should be constantly improving and that data and technology could help drive those improvements.
The business is creating software systems that provide data driven insights, genuinely improving how services work, and helping them to deliver better outcomes for their patients, particularly in the field of the NHS’ Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme.
Its leading digital care record system iaptus is now used in more than 100 NHS organisations across the UK.
Mayden also runs iO Academy, training people with no coding experience to be industry-ready developers in just 16 weeks.
Chris said: “I’m honoured to have been recognised alongside such esteemed company.
“If you had asked me before I was nominated, I wouldn’t have considered myself ambitious personally, but on reflection the ambitions I have for Mayden – and for our healthcare clients – have been enduring since I first started Mayden over 20 years ago.
“Technology has the potential to revolutionise the way that healthcare is delivered, with data driven, patient-centred and outcome-focussed services that truly support those we love when they are at their most vulnerable.
“That is what the Mayden team exists to do, and I’m so grateful to work with such a talented team and wonderful customers to make that happen.”
Chris said he now wants to take similar transformative technology to other areas of healthcare, both in the UK and overseas.
LDC managing partner John Garner said the business leaders featured in The Top 50 demonstrated resilience, strategic excellence and export success.
“The volume and quality of submissions this year surpassed all of our expectations,” he said.
“We’ve been struck by the way business leaders have overcome challenges and adversity to run fast-growing and successful companies, proving that difficult circumstances can become the biggest driver of ambition.
“There are so many fascinating stories behind each and every business leader in this year’s Top 50 and I’d like to congratulate all of those featured.”
