Director Leeds Digital
Director Leeds Digital
Deb Hetherington is an award-winning facilitator of business support and growth consultancy with over 15 years of experience supporting startup and scaling businesses. She is an active member of the northern tech scene, sitting on various boards and steers, proactively strengthening stakeholder collaborations across private, public and third sectors to build new partnerships, sector propositions and secure funding for business innovation and growth.
Deb’s passion for diversity within the digital space resulted in co-founding the community-led organisation WILD Digital, which aims to educate and encourage more diverse groups into digital roles to ensure the digital workforce is truly representative of society.
"Working with the Leeds Digital team is one of the most rewarding roles I've had. The social and economic impact this activity has on Leeds, and the wider region, is outstanding."
Operations and Sponsorships Manager Leeds Digital
Operations and Sponsorships Manager Leeds Digital
Experienced in project management, admin, and customer-focused roles, Claire manages sponsor relationships at Leeds Digital, alongside behind-the-scenes administrative functions. She’s been a part of Leeds Digital Festival since its inception and loves seeing how it has been embraced by the Leeds tech and digital community.
Claire also works alongside Stuart at Paceline Ltd.
“It’s been a real privilege to become an integral part of Leeds Digital. It’s such a unique entity whose success is entirely down to the energy and enthusiasm that the Leeds’ sector brings to the Festival each year.”
For further information regarding sponsorships, email Claire here.
Marketing and Events Manager Leeds Digital
Marketing and Events Manager Leeds Digital
Steph is the Marketing & Events Manager for Leeds Digital and the Leeds Digital Festival. With over 12 years of diverse experience, including roles at a major corporation, a startup, a media company, and as a freelancer, she brings a wealth of experience to the table.
She oversees all marketing strategies and communications for the Leeds Digital and Leeds Digital Festival brands. Steph also plays a key role in building the festival programme and works with partners across the City Region to shout about all the brilliant tech things happening in Leeds.
“I am incredibly lucky to join and support such a brilliant and collaborative community. The Leeds tech sector has so much to offer and I’m excited to help spread the word about it.”
For marketing enquiries, contact Steph here.
Festival Coordination Assistant Leeds Digital
Festival Coordination Assistant Leeds Digital
"Leeds is already full of opportunities, and I'm grateful to be part of a company which provides even more. I'm excited to see what the future holds for Leeds' tech sector, how I can contribute to it, and where it'll take me."
Social Media Intern Leeds Digital
Social Media Intern Leeds Digital
Harriet joins the Leeds Digital team as a Social Media Intern, alongside studying Business Management with Marketing at Leeds Beckett University. She has previous experience creating content and managing social media through roles with local organisations and events.
She creates and manages social media content, sharing what’s happening across Leeds Digital and keeping our channels up to date throughout the festival.
“I’m really looking forward to getting involved with Leeds Digital, meeting people across the industry and learning more about the digital and creative work happening across Leeds.”
Board Member Leeds Digital
Board Member Leeds Digital
"I am absolutely thrilled to be appointed as a director for the Leeds Digital Festival! This is a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with the talented LDF team and regional innovative companies in our vibrant digital community. I look forward to driving meaningful conversations, promoting creativity, and showcasing the amazing work being done in the tech sector in Leeds."
Chair Leeds Digital
Chair Leeds Digital
Stuart Clarke is the founder of Leeds Digital and was the Festival Director of the Leeds Digital Festival from its inception in 2015; he stepped down from that role after the tenth Festival in 2025.
Our ambassadors are some of the Leeds City Region’s best and brightest minds in tech. They represent Leeds Digital within the city and beyond, promoting the innovation and expertise that exists in the local tech community.
Each ambassador plays a role in the Leeds tech sector and is committed to collaboration and inclusion. Through digital leadership, mentorship and advocacy, they’ve already made significant impacts in the industry.
Find out more about our ambassadors, what they do, and their key values and vision at our blog.
Founder, Investor Crisp, a Kroll Business
Founder, Investor Crisp, a Kroll Business
Starting his first tech business at the age of 15, Adam created one of the world's first social media businesses.
He soon recognised the importance of protecting children and teenagers using online games and social networks from abuse, sexual exploitation, cyberbullying and other online threats, and set up Crisp in 2005, after helping the UK government to develop online child protection laws.
Adam built Crisp into a global industry-leading risk intelligence firm and oversaw its sale to US-based Kroll in 2022. Still an advisor to Crisp, Adam is now focusing on helping the next generation of tech founders.
“I'm really proud to be an Ambassador for Leeds Digital. I've appreciated the help and support that I've been given from the Leeds tech sector over the years and I'm looking forward to helping promote it far and wide.”
Co-Founder and CEO The Data City
Co-Founder and CEO The Data City
Since founding a digital agency in 1999, Alex has been pioneering applications of new technology throughout his career and is now a Co-Founder and CEO of The Data City, a tech start-up that uses machine learning to map the global economy for government and the private sector.
Alex is an active member of the digital/tech community, regularly speaking at events, judging awards, providing non-exec advisory services, and is also the chair of web 3 start-up Pooldata.io. Alex is a champion of diversity and inclusion and is passionate about raising awareness around neurodiversity and entrepreneurship.
“I love the Leeds tech scene! It is full of brilliant, ambitious people who go above and beyond to help each other out and have fun together. Business is hard, but being part of this scene adds a joy to it that feels very special.”
Innovation Lead - Creative Industries Innovate UK
Innovation Lead - Creative Industries Innovate UK
Alina has a track record of working in and with high growth companies. Collaborator and connector, previously focused solely on supporting and advocating for innovators within the region, she brings a commercial perspective to their challenges.
Alina is a champion for diversity, innovation and inspiring future leaders, and joined Innovate UK to expand the support for untapped innovative businesses and to increase investment in creative talent. Ensuring Creative Catalyst strategically & operationally compliments other activities across UKRI in the sector, Alina’s role involves helping to build collaborations between industry, managing competitions and overseeing programme delivery.
“I’ve been attending Leeds Digital Festival for years - the careers fair is where I got my first full time job in the creative industry! It’s been lovely to see the way it’s developed over the years and that the value its community creates can now be shared year round through the new platform.”
Sr. Marketing and Commercial Leader
Sr. Marketing and Commercial Leader
"The digital and tech community in Leeds is special and punching above its weight. It's a serious digital city with the talent, the ambition and the supportive community to back it up. I'm proud to have played a small part in building that, and genuinely honoured to help Leeds Digital take it further.”
Product Owner Lloyds Banking Group
Product Owner Lloyds Banking Group
Brian Simpson is a Product Owner at Lloyds Banking Group, working within the Chief Technology Office to help shape organisational capability and develop a skills-based organisation.
Based in the Leeds area, he brings expertise across product ownership, learning culture, business analysis and digital transformation, with a strong focus on building communities of practice and future-ready skills. He is also an active contributor to industry dialogue through writing on engineering culture, business analysis and transformation in banking.
Alongside his role, Brian has a strong track record of business and career mentoring, and has worked closely with emerging talent schemes.
“Leeds has an engaged and diverse tech ecosystem with significant opportunities for collaboration, mutual learning and career development. I’ve been creating and hosting technology events across the UK since 2018 to help achieve those goals and provide a valuable focus on the local tech sector.”
Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Events Leeds Beckett University
Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Events Leeds Beckett University
Charlotte Rainey is Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Events at Leeds Beckett University, with over 25 years’ experience across higher education, industry and the public sector in partnership and engagement roles.
She is passionate about widening access to opportunities in tech and digital, and encouraging more people from all backgrounds to explore the sector. Based in Leeds, Charlotte is a strong supporter of the city’s tech community and is delighted to join Leeds Digital as an Ambassador. She is currently developing a new solution exploring how AI can support more sustainable approaches to fashion.
“I’m delighted to be an Ambassador for Leeds Digital Festival. Leeds has a vibrant and collaborative tech community, and I’m passionate about widening access to digital opportunities through my work in higher education. I’m also interested in how emerging technologies like AI can support more sustainable approaches.”
Head Of Technology Leeds Building Society
Head Of Technology Leeds Building Society
Jay is Head of Technology for Savings, Digital and Mortgages at Leeds Building Society - a great company currently going through a huge digital transformation.
Graduating with an Economics degree, Jay has spent most of his career in technology and financial services, with the likes of GE Capital and DSG (CACI) before joining the Society. Married with two kids, he’s been based in Leeds since 1998, and is an avid technologist, snowboarder, rambler and gym goer.
“The Leeds digital ecosystem is exciting, vibrant and highly collaborative and is a great place to be for any digitally-minded individual or business that is looking to grow in the Leeds area. Its strengths are the high concentration of successful digital and technology businesses and experts that are located in the area that come together to create a special digital hub. I’m excited about the opportunity to be an active part of Leeds Digital to share the great things that are happening in Leeds with a much wider audience.”
Chief Partnerships Officer Generation UK&I
Chief Partnerships Officer Generation UK&I
Jess Sewter is Chief Partnerships Officer for Generation UK&I, a leading skills bootcamp charity that trains, supports and places people from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds into life-changing tech and data roles otherwise inaccessible.
Jess has worked in education, employment and skills for over 20 years and is passionate about improving social mobility through widening access and challenging the status quo. Jess partners with businesses looking to grow their digital teams, increase their diversity and make social impact.
“The Leeds Digital ecosystem is thriving and is the heartbeat of Leeds. It brings together so much innovation, collaboration, and support across the city and works together on important issues such as increasing DEI and closing the digital divide in Leeds. I am proud to be part of it and rave about its impact far and wide!”
Head of Innovation and Growth Bruntwood SciTech
Head of Innovation and Growth Bruntwood SciTech
A dynamic leader in the Northern tech ecosystem, Katherine Megson specialises in accelerating growth of the digital start-ups, scale-ups and established businesses within Bruntwood SciTech’s thriving ecosystem of 1450+ tech, science and innovative businesses across multiple cities.
Katherine is deeply passionate about driving equality and inclusion, having successfully created the Female Founder
Tech Incubators, firstly in Leeds, expanding it across the North, earning her ‘Facilitator of the Year’ at the 2023 Leeds
Digital Awards.
Katherine serves on multiple boards, including The Whole Point Regional Board, LegalTech in Leeds and FemTech
North, combining her strategic expertise with a genuine passion for connecting people to drive regional innovation.
Leeds has cultivated one of the most exciting and supportive tech ecosystems in the UK. Having seen firsthand the incredible innovation coming from our local startups and scale- ups, I'm thrilled to be a Leeds Digital Ambassador to help shine a spotlight on our region, foster new connections, and accelerate our collective growth.
Senior Marketing Manager University of Leeds
Senior Marketing Manager University of Leeds
“Leeds has an incredibly vibrant and collaborative digital ecosystem, and that’s what makes it so powerful. I’m passionate about bringing that ecosystem to life - connecting businesses, ideas and people in meaningful ways. It’s a community built on shared ambition, and I’m committed to playing my part in championing it, helping to tell its stories and create opportunities for others to grow and succeed within it.”
Chief Engineer CGI
Chief Engineer CGI
Rich is an engaged member of the Leeds tech community, bringing a wealth of experience from organisations such as the BBC and Sky.
As Chief Engineer at CGI, he's dedicated to fostering innovation and achieving technical excellence in major projects. With 15 years spent in Japan, Rich offers a global perspective to software engineering. He plays an active role in the local tech scene, spearheading Leeds-JS and founding Leeds Digital Health. Rich is committed to making substantial contributions to the thriving Leeds tech landscape.
“Leeds is buzzing, with a vibrant community of talented, fun, and insightful individuals. There is so much going on, it is exciting to be a part of this dynamic tech ecosystem.”
Co-founder Seeai
Co-founder Seeai
Saile is a Tech Entrepreneur and Co-founder of Seeai, a software development company that specialises in utilising artificial intelligence to unlock new opportunities for businesses.
She’s a recipient of the prestigious Global Exceptional Talent VISA which enables the best tech talent from around the world to work in the UK’s digital technology sector. Saile has been recently recognised as one of the Women in Innovation Award Winners by Innovate UK that showcases high-potential female business leaders with game-changing innovations and ambitious plans that inspire future entrepreneurs.
“The Leeds Digital Ecosystem is a vibrant community of collaboration and innovation where companies can thrive. As an entrepreneur, the Leeds Digital ecosystem has been essential for both myself and Seeai. It has helped open doors to engage and connect with people from diverse sectors to share ideas and enable collaborations. Leeds Digital allows opportunities for everybody to engage, making it a great place for growth and innovation.”
Founder WILD Digital
Founder WILD Digital
Sarah has won multiple awards and previously held a number of COO roles within fast growth technology businesses, and operated in senior roles for some of the most highly regarded consultancies in the world, including EY and Cognizant.
She is passionate about the Leeds digital ecosystem and chairs its Digital Steer and Leeds Digital Forum, guiding the digital ecosystem to ensure the city is the most inclusive and best place to be a digital business. Sarah is also a co-founder of WILD Digital, which is a 2,500 member+ Northern community-led initiative, focused on both creating and highlighting activities that encourage minority groups to consider choosing a career in digital.
“I’m honoured to be an Ambassador for Leeds Digital. The community is like family to me and being able to support and promote it both locally and on a wider platform is always a privilege.”
Head of Connected Technology Academy KPMG
Head of Connected Technology Academy KPMG
Yasmin is Head of Connected Technology Academy at KPMG, a role that allows her to break down barriers for women and young people coming into the tech industry and educating through outreach activity in schools, colleges and universities and her work with KidsCode in the Leeds region.
She’s a powerful voice in the Leeds tech community and is committed to helping people feel empowered to take the leap into tech, regardless of background and experience. Yasmin is a Board Member at WILD Digital, Maggie’s Cancer Centres and Yorkshire Dance, and a School Governor.
“The Leeds tech ecosystem is so unique and is a wonderful community to be a part of and something that has given so much to me over the years, whether that be friendship, support in my career and lots of opportunity. It’s something we should be proud of as a region and the strides we have taken over the years, from tech unicorns, entrepreneurs, watching new businesses grow and others land local hubs in the region, we have certainly cemented ourselves as a thriving hub to be reckoned with.”
Co-founder and CEO Zygens
Co-founder and CEO Zygens
Zandra Moore is the Co-founder and CEO of Zygens and is a tech entrepreneur, specialising in data. Zandra is passionate about enabling more women in the tech industry, improving gender equality and increasing investment in female-founded businesses.
Zandra’s unwavering energy led to the creation of LeanIn Leeds, No Code Lab and the Yorkshire Growth Tech Group, all with the focus of supporting and championing diversity in tech. With her experience, Zandra has also become a member of the UK Government’s Taskforce for Women-Led High Growth Enterprises. She’s also a mentor and Angel Investor.
“As a female tech founder and Leeds lass, I’m deeply motivated to see Leeds as a world-leading tech hub. The Leeds Digital movement has galvanised the collaboration the city needed to make this dream a reality for the city. I’m so proud to play a small part in that!”
