The BA of the Year Award recognises the person who has demonstrated the most significant contribution to business analysis over the previous year. Entering the competition is your chance to highlight your achievements and champion the business analyst profession in your organisation, and beyond. IIBA UK Business Analyst of the Year 2025 Winner AnnouncedMark Cross has been awarded the IIBA UK Business Analyst of the Year Award for 2025. Mark was presented with the award at the BA Conference Europe 2025 by opening keynote speaker, and advocate for AI in business, Julie Holmes.An experienced BA, tireless volunteer and founder of the global IIBA Cybersecurity special interest group, Mark is also a passionate advocate for neurodivergent professionals in IT. The panel of judges remarked on Mark’s hard work on behalf of, and commitment to, the BA community:“An authentic and inspiring thought leader, Mark is working at the cutting edge of Business Analysis. He is breaking boundaries and sharing his innovations with a global audience. He personifies commitment to the development of the profession through his volunteering work with IIBA and BCS. His personal ambition is to show that neurodiversity should be no barrier to success as a BA.”About the 2025 BAOTY FinalistsAll of the finalists shortlisted for the 2025 award impressed the judges, with their achievements more than satisfying this year’s award criteria: Resilience; Analysis and Modelling; and Collaboration.Click on the names below for more on each finalist, and select the ‘plus’ symbol to read the panel of judges’ remarks on their achievements.Promoting the BA ProfessionAs 2024 winner Kay Hardy said in her winner’s interview.“The BA of the Year Award… was a great opportunity for reflection. Simply going through the process of applying built my confidence in my role. It also increased my motivation to do more and make each day an opportunity, not just the same as the day before. So, I would say the application process is confidence building and attitude changing, and I’d recommend it.”Hall of FameYou can find previous years' finalists in our Hall of Fame.
