Tech titan Vin Murria OBE, founder of Advanced Computer Software plc, has been named Top Asian in UK Tech 2024 by Diversity UK.
The equality charity publishes the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech list and the Asian Tech Pioneers index annually.
The Chair’s Award was presented by Lopa Patel MBE, chair of the judging panel and trustees of Diversity UK at the launch of the 10th anniversary edition of the list.
Murria’s career has included a combination of venture capital, private equity and CEO/operational experience, centred around 20 years of M&A activity in the software sector.
The former CEO of Advanced, a consolidator in the healthcare and business solutions sector which was acquired by Vista Private Equity for around $1 billion in 2015, she was also the founding CEO of Computer Software Group plc, which exited to equity vehicle Hellman Friedman in July 2007 for circa $800m.
Prior to this she was COO at Kewill Systems plc, which exited in March 2000 at a market valuation of $1.8bn. She is non-executive director at FTSE250 firm Softcat plc and FTSE 100 company Bunzl plc, plus an advisor and investor at Hg Capital and NM Rothschilds.
Murria was awarded an honorary doctorate by Edinburgh Napier University and in 2018, she received an OBE for services to the British digital economy, as well as for advancing women in the software sector. In 2007 she formed and fully funded a charitable foundation targeted at educating and supporting women in India and the UK.
“Vin Murria has had an outstanding career in the tech sector and is one of the original tech pioneers of this country,” said Patel. “Armed with a first class BSc Honours degree in Computer Science, and an MBA, she has spent over a decade building her own tech company followed by 20 years of M&A activity in the software sector.
“She has smashed the glass ceiling for women in FTSE companies, the AIM market and within entrepreneurship. Vin has remained focused in her drive to create better-performing companies, driven by technological advancement, and she has truly mastered the art of deal-making.
“Her determination, razor-sharp intelligence and keen eye for an opportunity has brought her success and prosperity. We are delighted that she has engaged with the Asians in Tech initiative so enthusiastically over the years, always ready to offer help, support and advice to budding entrepreneurs.
“Away from work, she founded a charitable foundation, to help educate and support women in the UK and in India.
“She is a role model for young women the world over and a truly inspirational Chair’s Award winner. Congratulations!”