Hayley O’Brien recognised as Rising Star at Connected Britain Awards
I’m absolutely thrilled to share that I’ve been named one of the 10 finalists for the Rising Star (Gold Award) at this year’s Connected Britain Awards.
To even be considered among such an inspiring group of people who are shaping the UK’s digital future is a huge honour. Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside brilliant colleagues and industry leaders who are passionate about driving real impact—connecting communities, breaking down barriers, and making digital inclusion a reality.
Being recognised as part of the #NextGen10 Class of 2025 makes this moment even more special. This initiative is about celebrating the journeys of people at the start of their careers in telecoms and digital infrastructure, and I’m proud to play a part in that story.
I’m really looking forward to the awards ceremony on 24th September and to joining the #NextGen10 panel discussion on stage at Connected Britain, where we’ll be sharing our experiences, challenges, and ambitions for the future of the sector.
A huge thank you to everyone who has supported, mentored, and championed me along the way—I wouldn’t be here without you. Here’s to the exciting journey ahead, and to continuing to help shape the future of connectivity in the UK. 
