Professor Alastair Denniston ranked 7th in HSJ’s 50 Most Influential People for NHS Tech in 2026.
Health Data Research UK Midlands is proud to share that Midlands Health Data Strategy Board member, Professor Alastair Denniston, has been named the 7th most influential person in NHS technology for 2026 by the Health Service Journal (HSJ). This recognition comes as a park of HSJ’s inaugural ranking of the UK’s top digital health leaders.
The HSJ list highlights individuals who are shaping the future of NHS technology. These range from national policymakers to clinical innovators and digital transformation leaders.
Professor Denniston’s recognition reflects his leadership at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI), data-enabled healthcare, and regulatory innovation. These areas are critical to the long-term transformation of the NHS.
Recognition for Midlands leadership in NHS technology
Professor Denniston’s inclusion in the top 10 reflects not only his individual leadership, but also the growing influence of the Midlands as a powerhouse for health data science, AI innovation, and digital transformation.
In addition, this year’s HSJ list also recognises several other leaders from within the Midlands and the wider Health Data Research and Health Data Research Service (HDRS) ecosystems.
These leaders include:
- Amy Freeman, Chief Digital Information Officer, University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
- Hayley Grafton, Group Chief Nursing Information Officer, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire Group
- Will Monaghan, Group Chief Information Officer, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire Group
- Melanie Ivarsson, Chief Executive Officer, Health Data Research Service (HDRS).
Together with Professor Denniston, these individuals highlight the Midlands’ critical contribution to advancing data-driven healthcare, digital leadership, and system-wide innovation across the NHS.
A leader in AI, data and regulation
Professor Denniston is Professor of Regulatory Science and Innovation at the University of Birmingham. He also serves as an Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
He is widely recognised as a national and international leader in AI and digital health technologies. In particular his work focuses on ensuring innovations are safe, effective and equitable for patients.
His leadership extends across multiple influential roles, including:
- AI Strategic Advisor to Health Data Research UK (HDR UK)
- Chair of the UK National Commission on the Regulation of AI in Healthcare, established by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
- Director of the UK Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Science in AI & Digital HealthTech (CERSI-AI)
Through these roles, he is helping to shape the frameworks that will enable the safe adoption of AI technologies across the NHS. This includes applications ranging from diagnostics to clinical decision support.
Driving innovation through HDR UK Midlands
Professor Denniston is also a key member of the Midlands Health Data Strategy Board. This board brings together leaders from across academia, healthcare, and industry to guide the strategic direction of health data science in the region.
The Board is central to HDR UK Midlands’ mission to harness data to improve patient outcomes, drive innovation, and strengthen regional collaboration.
Within this ecosystem, Professor Denniston plays a pivotal role in advancing the responsible use of data and AI. He helps align cutting-edge research with real-world clinical impact.
His work also includes directing major initiatives such as INSIGHT, the HDR UK Health Data Research Hub for Eye Health. This programme uses large-scale datasets and advanced analytics to improve disease detection and personalised care.
Shaping the future of NHS technology
The HSJ recognition comes at a critical moment for the NHS, as digital transformation and AI adoption accelerate in response to rising demand and workforce pressures.
As Chair of the National Commission on AI in Healthcare, Professor Denniston is leading efforts to develop a new regulatory framework for AI. This framework aims to balance innovation with patient safety and public trust.
Importantly, this work is expected to play a key role in enabling the deployment of emerging technologies across the NHS. These include AI-assisted diagnostics, remote monitoring tools, and clinical automation systems.
His broader vision emphasises the importance of aligning technological capability with system readiness, helping ensure that innovations deliver meaningful benefits for patients and clinicians alike.
