The British Interactive Media Association (BIMA) has announced the latest inductions into the BIMA hall of fame; consisting of people whose work has helped create and shape Britain’s digital industry. This year’s inductees are Saul Klein OBE and Dr Sue Black OBE.

Holly Hall, MD at BIMA, said, “The BIMA Hall of Fame represents the pinnacle of digital achievement in the UK. We’re delighted to welcome Sue and Saul who between them have spent more than 40 years shaping Britain’s digital landscape. We’re also pleased to share the BIMA 100 of 2018. At a time when digital talent has never been more in demand – across a wide range of sectors – it’s vital that we showcase the great work being done, and acknowledge the people behind it, to encourage and inspire future generations to take digital even further.”

BIMA has also announced its BIMA 100, crediting the key influencers and innovators who are on the top of Britain’s digital industry in 2018. 

The shortlist is determined by a panel of leading digital experts led by Jon Davie, managing director of Zone. This year BIMA has divided its 100 across 10 categories: Talent Champions, Rising Stars, Tech Trailblazers, Creative Stars, Client/Supplier Relationship Stars, CEOs and Leaders, Entrepreneurs, UX & Design Stars, Champions for Good and Industry Visionaries.

Klein has an impressive resume, having worked with some of the biggest names in the digital industry, such as Telegraph Media Group, Ogilvy and Mather and Microsoft. Later on, he collaborated with his father for the foundation of the Accelerator group, an early-stage investor in digital businesses including MOO and Tweetdeck. Furthermore, Klein co-founded Kano and Seedcamp, was the original CEO of Lovefilm and was a member of Skype’s original executive team.

In 2007, Klein founded the OpenCoffee Club, while by 2012 he was selected as the UK's first tech envoy to Israel and a technology business ambassador by former prime minister David Cameron. Now, he is a founding partner at LocalGlobe, a fund that aims to assist London’s most determined founders create pioneering businesses.

Black’s background is an unusual but inspiring one. Black dropped out of school at the age of 16, married at the age of 20, became a mother of three by the age of 23 and a single parent at the age of 25. However, that didn’t stop her. Taking a math’s access course at night school, she managed to join university, graduating with a degree in computing.

Over the following 20 years, Black has put out more than 40 academic publications and has a PhD in software engineering. She was titled ‘honorary professor’ in the department of computer science at University College London and a senior research associate at Lucy Cavendish College in Cambridge.

In 2001, she founded BCSWomen, the UK’s first online network for women in tech. As of late, she set up Techmums, a social enterprise which uses technology to encourage and empower mums and their families. She is also a mentor for mums at Google Campus and a UK government advisor.

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