The 2026 Megabuyte 100 Awards Dinner was a timely reminder of the depth, quality and ambition across the UK tech ecosystem. Bringing together the Megabuyte50 shortlist, alongside the rising stars of the last year, the dinner celebrated excellence across the industry.
The evening brought together leaders from across software and IT services to celebrate businesses delivering consistent, sustainable performance with real impact - something that feels particularly meaningful in a market that continues to test even the strongest leadership teams.
IT consulting is a market that matters a great deal to us, so we were delighted to sponsor the Peer Group Best Performer: IT Consulting award this year. The sector sits at the intersection of technology strategy, delivery excellence and human capital, with the very best firms combining all three in a way that’s hard to replicate. Strong performance is delivered through clarity of positioning, disciplined execution and a culture that scales. Congratulations to Codethink, a thoroughly deserving winner.
Codethink’s win reflects a business performing at the top of its peer group, with impressive financial performance underpinned by its ability to deliver mission‑critical, system‑level infrastructure for enterprise clients at scale.
IT consulting is a market that matters a great deal to us, so we were delighted to sponsor the Peer Group Best Performer: IT Consulting award this year.
More broadly, the awards were a timely snapshot of how the IT consulting sector continues to evolve. Many of the conversations around the room touched on familiar themes: navigating client demand in an uncertain environment, adapting delivery models, investing in talent, and finding ways to differentiate beyond rate cards and scale. What stood out, though, was the number of businesses that are doing this successfully.
A big thank you to the Megabuyte team for putting on such a well-run and enjoyable event, and for continuing to shine a light on the businesses shaping the UK tech landscape. Congratulations as well to all the nominees and winners across the evening, being shortlisted in itself is no small achievement.
We left the dinner feeling optimistic. Despite the challenges facing the market, there is no shortage of high-quality technology businesses being built in the UK, where expertise, trust and delivery remain at a premium.
AUTHOR
Jonathan Grant
Director
I started life as a biochemist in the NHS but soon realised that what I really enjoyed was working with people and businesses, developing and driving technology change. This led me to join PwC, where I helped them with their M&A before I joined Clearwater. In the tech team, I champion our focus on the digital transformation sub-sector and spend my time advising a range of high-growth, high-potential businesses. I’m lucky enough to be part of a great team at Clearwater and even more so to work with clients who are inspiring and passionate.
