Stuart Clarke, founder of Leeds Digital Festival, has announced he’s stepping down after this year’s event.
Clarke, who was awarded an MBE in 2022 for services to technology and was included in BusinessCloud’s 2024 Northern Leaders list, will be handing the day-to-day responsibilities over to Deb Hetherington after September’s festival and assuming the role of non-executive chair.
He said: “It’s been a huge privilege running the Leeds Digital Festival for the last 10 years. The festival, alongside our year-round platform Leeds Digital, has grown massively over the last decade, helping to promote the Leeds tech sector internationally, and creating a huge community.
“From running the first festival in April 2016 with a staff of one (me) to building up a great team, it’s been a lot of fun (with the odd sleepless night).
“I’m proud of playing a part in developing the festival into the UK’s largest open-platform tech event.
“When a group of us in the Cross Keys in 2015 decided to shout about the incredible talent and innovation we have in Leeds, I’m not sure anyone thought we’d still be here in 2025. Thanks to all those in the room that day.
“Thanks are particularly due to Paul Berwin and Simon Palmer as our first directors, stepping down only recently. They set strong governance and compliance standards for the festival and I’ve really appreciated their support and guidance over the years, as well as the joy they brought to our board meetings.
“Big thanks also to Alex Craven (co-founder at The Data City), our ‘enforcer’ in those early years.
“We brought new faces into the board over the last few years, with Deb joining in 2020 and Sarah Hex coming on board last year. Both have continued to build on our strong foundations whilst bringing fresh eyes and energy.
“It’s such a pleasure to work with a talented team on the top of their game. Thanks also to the many people who have been part of the team over the years, with a particular shout-out to Alex Cole, who helped us through the Covid pandemic and was instrumental in launching our year-round Leeds Digital platform in 2023.
“And thanks to all our sponsors, events hosts and attendees over the years – you built this community together.”
Clarke is also the founder of UK Tech Week and a director of Paceline Strategy & PR.
This year’s Leeds Digital Festival will run from September 22nd – October 3rd.
The programme, which began as a series of 56 events in 2016, has grown to include over 200 events each year.