Paul Volkaerts, founder and CEO of Nervecentre, has been named the UK’s Most Ambitious Business Leader for 2026, in recognition of his determination to challenge the established healthcare technology market and transform how the NHS uses digital technology.
The award is part of The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders programme, run in partnership with The Times. This year’s programme attracted more than 620 nominations from across the UK.
Paul received the award at a ceremony at BAFTA in London on the 7th October, with the announcement also featured in The Times.
From a different idea to a different kind of EPR
Paul founded Nervecentre 16 years ago with the ambition to do something different. At the time, much of healthcare technology focused on data capture and record-keeping. Paul saw an opportunity to build something that put clinicians’ needs for collaboration and workflow at its heart. That vision has guided Nervecentre ever since.
Today, Nervecentre is supporting some of the NHS’s biggest digital transformation programmes, challenging established global suppliers with a modern, UK-built Electronic Patient Record (EPR) platform. Its cloud-native, mobile-first technology is helping NHS organisations move beyond digitising patient records to improve clinical workflows, connect services and make better use of their resources.
And the ambition hasn’t stopped there. Nervecentre is now extending its EPR beyond hospital walls, developing the UK’s first single platform spanning primary and secondary care.
Recognition for persistence and vision
The LDC judges highlighted Paul’s success in challenging established global competitors, growing Nervecentre into a significant UK technology business and continuing to push the company forward.
John Garner, Managing Partner at LDC, said:
“Paul’s journey with Nervecentre is a remarkable example of what can be achieved through persistence and a clear vision. His success in challenging established global competitors, combined with his determination to keep pushing the business forward, made a lasting impression on our judges. We are pleased to name him The UK’s Most Ambitious Business Leader for 2026.”
The recognition comes at an exciting time for Nervecentre as it continues to grow its presence across the NHS and develop new capabilities designed to support the future of healthcare.
For Paul and the wider Nervecentre team, the ambition remains the same as it was 16 years ago: to build technology that makes a meaningful difference to the people delivering and receiving care.
Paul added:
“The NHS is underserved by technology, yet no other organisation needs it more. We want to be the organisation that covers the entire patient journey, using AI and automation to make care safer and more efficient.”
Read more about The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2026.
