The festival boasts over 200 tech events spanning across the city and online. It has become the largest open-platform tech event in the UK over the past decade, and the largest tech event outside of London.
2025 is set to be the biggest year yet for the festival. It is expected that tens of thousands will be in attendance, a large increase from the few hundred in the festival’s first year.
Events range from panel discussions on artificial intelligence to exploring work and grad scheme opportunities in the digital space.
Many events have networking opportunities which are integral to tech business growth in the north. Festival founder Stuart Clarke told Planet Sport’s Andy Roberts: “Growing a business becomes so much easier when you’ve got those connections and you’re not working in isolation.”
A Codurance panel led by Dr Esther Pugh, a senior lecturer in business and marketing, will explore the use of AI technology in retail on 1 October.
Pugh hopes to generate “lots of discussion about how digital can bring real benefits to retail in the future, because sometimes it can be worrying and seems to be happening so fast.”
Pugh believes this is made possible through the chance to attend the festival and panels in person. “It is always good to get together face to face as it provides a human connection that isn’t possible online.”
“We aim to keep the discussion easy to understand. I am not an expert myself so I will be pitching it at the beginner, but with the possibility to touch on topics that the hardcore aficionado will benefit from.”
Attendees have been impressed by the range of events offered. One said, “I want to expand my business and it’s so important to understand the online market to do this today. I’ve found the panels easy to follow as someone not from a tech background, I’ll definitely be signing up for more.”
Source: Alison Adair | All Rights ReservedAt Channel 4’s panel, Northern Creators: Northern Creators: 4Studio, Skills & Commercial Impact, panellists talked about opportunities for graduates to continue studying in the tech and creative sectors in the north. These schemes have continued growing in Leeds since Channel 4 built their new national headquarters in the city in 2020.
The 2025 festival marks the end of founder Stuart Clarke’s time as director as he steps into a non-executive role. This role will be taken over by Deb Hetherington, Director of Innovation Ecosystems at Scarborough Group International.
Other changes to the festival this year included an event submission cap of three for non-sponsors, which the festival announced is due to it being completely funded by sponsorships.
As the festival celebrates its ten-year milestone, plans for next year’s events are already underway, and executive Director Deb Hetherington has said: “We’re not just celebrating the past decade but shaping the next one; ensuring Leeds remains at the forefront of digital, where ideas, talent and technology can support our cities ambitions for inclusive growth.”
More details can be found at https://leedsdigitalfestival.org/.
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