We’re at a pivotal moment in Sheffield Digital’s future as we embed a number of changes to our membership offer and explore and define our strategic direction. With this in mind, we are pleased to share that two well known and respected members of the city’s tech community have joined our leadership team as Directors: Emma Marshall and Tom Wolfenden. They each bring experience, insight and a deep understanding of our membership and wider community.

Emma Marshall is well known to the regional tech community, both from her former senior leadership roles in tech companies across the city and for her recent work as Sheffield Digital’s Company Membership Manager and with Sheffield Tech Parks’ Cooper Project. Along with her decades of experience in business operations and senior leadership, Emma also brings the unique insight that comes from having owned her own company.

“I understand the day to day challenges that are faced by many of our members because I have been there and done it,” explains Emma, “I have founded a business, I have worked in large tech organisations managing people, systems and processes, and I’ve overseen big change projects.”

She adds,

“I career changed into tech when I was 40 and I’m eternally grateful for all the learning and support that I received from my co-workers and partner businesses. I want to use my experience to give back and help shape Sheffield Digital’s strategic focus, making sure it really meets the needs of our members and contributes to the economic growth of our region.”

Tom Wolfenden, CEO of Sheffield Technology Parks (STP), has had a seat on the Sheffield Digital board since 2017 when STP became a founder member. In stepping up to the position of Director, he will play a more active role in managing our organisation and influencing the strategic direction of our work.

Tom is embedded in Sheffield’s tech start-up scene through his work at STP and is keen to ensure that Sheffield Digital is at the forefront of efforts to make Sheffield the best city in the UK to start and grow a tech business.

“As founder members of Sheffield Digital, I’ve always been supportive of the ambitions of the organisation as they align so closely with Sheffield Technology Parks.

“Now, as a Director, I’m looking forward to working on a future strategy for Sheffield Digital, that weaves into the aligned ambitions I fulfil in my other roles across the city, including the Chamber of Commerce, SY Incubator & Accelerator Network and the Sheffield Innovation Spine.”

Tom and Emma join Sheffield Digital’s five founder directors: Mel Kanarek, Chris Dymond, Saul Cozens, Neill Birchenall and Andy Mayer. This Executive Board’s remit will be supported by the new Sheffield Digital Members Board, which will represent individual and company members at every level, ensuring their views are heard in the strategic decision making process.

Director and Co-founder of Sheffield Digital, Mel Kanarek, says,

“We want to ensure that Sheffield Digital is a strong, sustainable organisation that continues to respond to the needs of the local tech community and the role it plays in the regional economy. Emma and Tom bring important skills, perspectives and networks which will strengthen the executive board and make sure we are in good shape for the future development of the organisation. We are all also really looking forward to getting the members board up and running so that the members have a bigger say in what that future direction looks like.”