Reflections on a Proud Moment for Occuity

As co-founder and CTO of Occuity, I tend to have my head down, working with the team on technical challenges and engineering solutions. So, it is rare that I have the opportunity to pause and reflect on how far Occuity has come.

Attending the Royal Academy of Engineering’s annual awards ceremony with five of my colleagues gave me that opportunity as it was a moment I will remember proudly. To be there not just as guests, but as recipients of the 2025 Colin Campbell Mitchell Award for our work on the PM1 Pachymeter, was both humbling and uplifting.

Taking a “quick, simple scan of the eye” sounds easy, but of course it isn’t. Making healthcare feel simple and accessible requires tackling some very complex challenges.

An Inspiring Evening

Me and the team

It is a huge honour to have our contribution to the field recognised by the Royal Academy of Engineering. For over 50 years the Academy has championed excellence, supported innovation, and celebrated the very best of British engineering. To be acknowledged by an institution whose values we admire and share means a great deal to me personally, and to everyone at Occuity.

This award is particularly meaningful because it represents recognition from our peers. Our mission at Occuity has always been to develop technology that makes healthcare more accessible, non-invasive and patient-friendly. To have the innovative work we are doing validated by such a prestigious body reassures us that we are on the right path.

The ceremony itself was a remarkable experience. It brought together pioneers and leaders from every corner of the engineering and technology sector – people whose work is shaping the future across industries. Meeting them and sharing our story was a reminder of the breadth and impact of engineering, and of how fortunate we are to be part of such a vibrant community.

A “Difficult Award to Win”

Awards like this are, of course, very hard to win. However, it was only at the drinks reception during conversations with a number of leading figures in the engineering field that I truly appreciated just how high the bar is – several people told me exactly that. The criteria are demanding and the competition is fierce, which makes this recognition all the more significant. It emphasises how far we have come since founding Occuity, and the strength of the work carried out by our team.

Taking a “quick, simple scan of the eye” sounds easy, but of course it isn’t. Making healthcare feel simple and accessible requires tackling some very complex challenges. It’s hard work – but it’s also hugely rewarding and important. This award shows that we’re making real progress. And of course, all that effort stretches well beyond the PM1. We are already building on this foundation with the AX1, and the knowledge gained will further support our Oculomics products such as the Indigo – our non-invasive glucose meter – and the SD1, our answer to the huge challenge of diabetes screening.

A Team Achievement

Above all, this award is not just for the six of us who were lucky enough to attend, but for the entire Occuity team. Getting the PM1 to market required relentless effort, collaboration and problem-solving. Every member of our company contributed to this success, and I could not be prouder of what we have achieved together.

As CTO, I know that engineering excellence is never the work of one individual – it is the collective output of talented people working with shared purpose. The Colin Campbell Mitchell Award is recognition of that collective spirit at Occuity, and it inspires us to continue innovating as we expand our technology platform and tackle even greater challenges ahead.