Leeds Digital Festival: Senior figure from Microsoft set to be among guests at celebration of world class businesses

A Government minister and a senior figure from Microsoft are set to be among the guests at a major festival which will shine the spotlight on Yorkshire’s world class technology companies.
Greg Wright
By Greg Wright
Published 25th Aug 2023, 12:45 BST

Since its formation in 2016, Leeds Digital Festival has grown to become the biggest event of its kind outside London.

The festival celebrates the wide range of digital businesses which have established a base in Leeds while encouraging further investment in the sector.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A spokesman said: “ Leeds Digital Festival is launching a packed festival programme with more than 240 events registered. The festival is designed to inspire and encourage collaboration with the aim of promoting the strength of the sector in the city to a global audience.

Stuart Clarke MBE, Leeds Digital Festival Director (Photo supplied by Leeds Digital Festival)Stuart Clarke MBE, Leeds Digital Festival Director (Photo supplied by Leeds Digital Festival)
Stuart Clarke MBE, Leeds Digital Festival Director (Photo supplied by Leeds Digital Festival)

Delegates can attend the festival in person or virtually with a range of events from the region's leading digital organisations, including Accenture, Microsoft, KPMG, BJSS, TPP, Lloyds Bank, Leeds Building Society, Codurance, and Snowflake. It runs from 18 to 29 September at a host of venues around the city.

The festival will be attended by Paul Scully, the Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy, along with other guests, including Clare Barclay, the CEO of Microsoft UK.

Commenting on the launch, Stuart Clarke MBE, festival director, said: "The Leeds Digital Festival continues to evolve to meet the needs of industry. This year hundreds of events will inspire delegates and encourage collaboration to highlight the strengths of the digital community in the city. The programme has something for everyone, with events ranging from a data conference and kids coding club to sustainability, cyber-security, AI and computer-aided design with Burberry.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"There is lots of help for entrepreneurs seeking to launch a business with advice on sourcing startup investment, networking, inspiration and learning."

Minister for tech and the digital economy, Paul Scully MP said: “Leeds is a leading hub for innovative, creative, and transformative digital solutions.

"The area has a thriving ecosystem of digital and tech businesses, employing around 102,000 people and contributing £6.6bn to the UK’s economy.

“I look forward to taking part in the events at Leeds Digital Festival to learn about the exciting innovations that are being seen from the growth of tech in this region."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Festival will also feature the Leeds Digital Careers Fair on 26 September at Leeds Arena. It will provide a showcase for more than 100 employers and training providers and is expected to attract 1,500 attendees.

Rich McIntyre, chief engineer of BJSS, one of the UK’s largest IT and business consultancies, said: “The digital community in Leeds has grown to include every discipline and attracts talent from around the world.

"It inspires groundbreaking work that spans the medical sector to gaming. BJSS is pleased to support the festival again this year, and we encourage everyone in tech to come together and get involved.”

The festival is supported by premier sponsors BJSS, TPP and PEXA, alongside executive sponsors Accenture, Glean, Jungle IT, LCC, Lloyds Bank, Nexus, University of Leeds, and Flutter. An event to launch the festival will be hosted by sponsors, Leeds Building Society on 14 September. For more information visit https://leedsdigitalfestival.org/

Related topics:MicrosoftLeedsYorkshireLondon