Sheffield Digital, the not-for-profit membership body for the city’s digital sector, has appointed two new directors as co-founder Mel Kanarek steps down after more than 11 years.
James Charlesworth and Rachel Ovens join the board. The changes were announced to members at the organisation’s Autumn Senior Leaders Dinner.
Sheffield Digital said it is looking to build on its established foundations as artificial intelligence reshapes the way businesses start, operate and grow.
Charlesworth is a product engineering leader based in Sheffield and site lead for Pendo’s Sheffield office.
Sheffield Digital said his experience spans engineering, technical leadership and AI, and that he also organises Sheffield AI.
He has been an individual member of Sheffield Digital for over six years.
Charlesworth said: “I’m particularly interested in how we can help Sheffield’s technology businesses grow and succeed, while continuing to strengthen the grassroots communities that make the city such a great place to work in tech.”
Ovens is head of marketing at independent training provider Whyy? Change.
She is a Chartered Institute of Marketing approved tutor who specialises in digital marketing, SEO and developing marketing professionals through apprenticeship and professional training programmes.
Ovens already attends events and contributes to the organisation’s mentoring scheme.
Ovens said: “I am committed to driving the organisation’s sustainable growth so that it can continue to facilitate further opportunities for the wider Sheffield tech ecosystem.”
Kanarek has been involved in establishing and developing Sheffield Digital since its formation in 2015.
She helped establish the UK Tech Cluster Group, a national network of regional organisations working to grow and support the UK’s technology industry.
She was also a driving force behind Sheffield’s first Digital Festival, which ran annually for four years, including online and hybrid editions during the pandemic.
Kanarek said: “I’d like to see the organisation continue to evolve by responding to the needs of its community, with more people involved in running the organisation.”
Alongside the board changes, Sheffield Digital announced a new partnership with Sheffield Chamber of Commerce.
It has also introduced a new Associate Sponsor, Anthology North, and is collaborating with the University of Sheffield to explore how small and medium-sized businesses are navigating AI.
Sheffield Digital receives no public-sector funding and is funded through membership fees, supporting a small team of freelance specialists and a volunteer board.
It represents more than 80 company members and over 100 individual members, alongside a wider network of ecosystem partners.
Its services include a mentoring scheme, a member jobs board, a South Yorkshire tech events calendar, marketing channels, networking opportunities and a Slack community of more than 2,000 people.
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