Leeds Digital Festival has unveiled plans for its 11th edition, placing the event at the heart of economic and commercial expansion across the city region’s thriving technology sector.
The organisers are preparing to deliver the most varied schedule in the festival’s history, bringing together domestic businesses, international tech firms and investors to build on the area’s reputation as a primary engine for northern innovation.
A new study by The Data City shows the sector’s growth is also outpacing the national picture when compared with any other local authority outside London. Leeds tech companies are expanding at an estimated 8.3% a year, compared with a UK average of 8.1%, while almost one in eight (13%) are classified as high-growth, posting annual growth rates above 20%.
Altogether, the Leeds tech sector is estimated to contribute £1.67 billion in gross value added, at a scale and pace of growth that the city’s digital community will put centre stage at Leeds Digital Festival.
Taking place from 21st September to 2nd October, the UK’s largest open-platform tech event will bring together thousands of entrepreneurs, tech leaders, software developers and global investors. The 2026 programme aims to eclipse previous attendance records and build on a decade of growth that has established Leeds as one of the premier technology hubs outside London.
This year marks a significant transition for the festival leadership team, with Deb Hetherington taking charge for the first time as director, succeeding long-serving founder Stuart Clarke MBE, who is now chair.
With 213 events in the programme, artificial intelligence features heavily across this year’s line-up, though the focus shifts sharply to real-world deployment. Key sessions cover everything from legal strategy with LegalTech in Leeds (The LegalTech Confessional) and executive planning with Fleek Marketing (When AI Joins Your Leadership Team), to practical SME integration via Genieminds (Beyond the Hype) and hands-on technical execution with Parallax (Applied AI). Northern AI Collective also tackles brand identity in Why Your AI Sounds Like Everyone Else’s.
Beyond AI, the schedule pulls in major regional and national brands. Jaywing breaks down campaigns for PizzaExpress (Inside the Growth Strategy) and Yorkshire Tea (Behind the Brew), while the Financial Conduct Authority explores human-centred design in Building a User-first Culture.
Local tech entrepreneur Adam Hildreth headlines the Hard Graft Ventures launch, alongside wider sessions on accessibility from Hippo (What Compliance Misses) and property tech from PEXA (The Future of Homebuying).
Deb Hetherington, festival director at Leeds Digital Festival, said: “Taking over as director from Stuart Clarke is a huge privilege, and I am thrilled to lead my first full festival. Over the last decade, Leeds has built a reputation as a powerhouse for technological innovation, and this 11th year will reflect just how far our community has come.
“We are pulling out all the stops to deliver our most ambitious programme yet, bringing in incredible guest speakers and creating real opportunities for businesses across Yorkshire to connect, trade and grow.”
Headline sponsor CGI, one of the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world, has once again pledged its support for the festival, highlighting the importance of the regional technology sector on the national stage. This includes a programme of events that will be hosted from the company’s Leeds office.
Christina Geary, senior vice-president, Leeds business unit at CGI, said: “Leeds has one of the most dynamic and collaborative technology ecosystems in the country, and deepening our support as headline sponsor reflects our belief in the region’s trajectory.
“The 11th festival represents a major milestone for Yorkshire, bringing global visibility to local talent while creating tangible growth for businesses operating here. CGI is proud to play an active role in driving that momentum forward.
“Through our own events, we’re shining a light on the projects, partnerships and people trailblazing in Leeds and helping to grow the region, ensuring the festival continues to deliver lasting economic value and career pathways.”
Alongside headline sponsor CGI, a range of major regional partners, including Skipton Group, SCC, Leeds City Council, Nexus, ALT Legal, Accenture, and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the festival highlights the critical role technology plays in powering both the local and national economies.
For further details on the event schedule, sponsors, or how to attend, visit https://leedsdigitalfestival.org/