TWO well-known figures in Bournemouth’s digital sector have been named among the best in the industry for their efforts in the wider community.

Dan Willis, founder of Why Digital, and Danielle Dwyer, marketing executive with Redweb, were both listed in the BIMA 100, compiled by the British Interactive Media Association.

Mr Willis, who has spoken publicly about his bipolar disorder, was named a Champion For Good in recognition his work with Dorset Mind. He brought some of the area’s top marketing people together earlier this year to devise the #Day2Day campaign, which saw business leaders speaking about mental health.

“My bipolar is my superpower and at the same time my Kryptonite,” he said.

“It gives me incredibly creative moments where I come up with my best work but also can disable me. But luckily I’ve got people like my wife Becks around me giving incredible support.”

The 31-year-old worked for the Richmond Group and Redweb before going freelance and then starting his own branding agency, which he runs with business partner Ivan Gibson.

“I started becoming more and more busy and the reason I started scaling was basically if I get hit by a bus tomorrow, I want something to leave to my family,” he said.

“We’re really starting to work with some brands we really align with from an empathy and values point of view.”

Danielle Dwyer, 22, marketing executive with Redweb, is on the list as a Rising Star, having been named last year as a digital ambassador alongside colleague Michaela Dudfield.

The honour recognises her work on Digital Wave, the largest digital careers conference in the UK, and her work giving careers talks, promoting apprenticeships and running the BIMA and Digital Day with Bournemouth School for Girls.

She said: “I’m thrilled to be included in the BIMA 100 as a Rising Star. It’s a real honour to be recognised for all the hard work I do for Redweb, and the wider youth community such as organising the digital careers conference Digital Wave.

“I’m extremely passionate about inspiring the next generation with their career path into digital so this is an amazing accolade.”

Local figures who have been on the BIMA 100 list in the past include Silicon Beach organiser Matt Desmier, Duncan Cook of app-maker 3 Sided Cube and Andrew Henning of Redweb.