Terry Matthews scoops CNET lifetime achievement award

UK serial entrepreneur and founder of Mitel, Sir Terry Matthews, scooped the top honour at last night's CNET Technology Awards in London, when he landed the award for Outstanding Contribution to the UK Technology Sector.

Matthews' achievement in starting up more than 50 high-tech ventures was recognised on the night, as was the fact he claimed the honour of becoming the first Welsh billionaire after he sold Newbridge Networks in 2000.

Matthews was the second winner of the prestigious award, following in the footsteps of last year's inaugural winner Sir Tim Berners-Lee.

Other noteworthy winners on the night included British Airways, who won the Retail Sector Technology Project of the Year.

Earlier in the day, speaking at the silicon.com CIO Forum, Paul Coby, CIO of BA, told delegates that BA.com this week enjoyed its most successful day ever on Monday, when it took one booking every second. Coby also said the company's self service technologies have been a big hit with customers and with his bosses within the airline.

Ashford Borough Council scooped the Public Sector Technology Project of the Year - for embracing the ability to connect the public to local government services via technologies such as SMS, the internet, digital TV and videoconferencing.

Al-Noor Ramji, CIO of BT Group, won the prestigious CIO of the Year award and Chase de Vere won the Financial Services Technology Project of the Year.

A full list including all the winners from the evening can be seen here.