University of Reading Researchers Win Prestigious National AI Award for NHS Workforce Tool
We are incredibly proud to share that a joint project between the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust (RBFT) and the University of Reading has been named the official winner of The AIconics AI Enterprise Business of the Year at The National AI Awards 2026.
The team built an AI forecasting tool that predicts the probability of staff leaving, helping the NHS retain its skilled workforce. The project’s success is rooted in the exceptional, multidisciplinary expertise of the project team. The UoR team, consisting of Prof Shxiuan Wang from the Department of Economics, Dr Rita Fontinha from Henley Business School, and Dr Son-Kien Nguyen, provided expertise in data analytics and Strategic HRM insights to develop AI solutions, which was perfectly partnered by RBFT’s operational leadership, including Peter Sandham in the staff experience, Arran Rogers in nursing informatics, along with Faraz Rasihi and Donna Kellman in workforce data.
The National AI Awards team noted that while the competition this year was incredibly fierce, the project stood out remarkably, scoring exceptionally high marks from the panel of expert judges. Furthermore, Caroline Hicks, VP of The AI Summit Series, commended the team’s work, stating that the project “is helping to drive AI technology forward”. The team was formally presented with the award at The AI Summit London 2026, receiving this highest recognition in the presence of Kanishka Narayan MP, the UK Minister for AI and Online Safety.
This milestone is a powerful testament to the University of Reading’s commitment to delivering impactful, research-led solutions that drive positive societal change. We extend our warmest congratulations to Professor Wang, the entire UoR team, and our outstanding partners at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust on this incredible achievement.
For more information about the awards, please visit: The National AI Awards 2026