We’re entering an exciting new chapter at Sheffield Digital, with changes to our board, new partnerships and a series of initiatives designed to strengthen our support for the region’s digital businesses and professionals at a time of unprecedented change. We announced the news to members at our Autumn Senior Leaders Dinner this week, where we welcomed two new directors, James Charlesworth and Rachel Ovens, and recognised the contribution of our co-founder and director, Mel Kanarek, who is stepping down after more than 11 years at the forefront of Sheffield Digital.

These changes come at an important moment for Sheffield’s digital sector. As artificial intelligence reshapes the way businesses start, operate and grow, and economical conditions continue to challenge, we’re looking to build on our established foundations, bringing new expertise, perspectives and opportunities to our work supporting the region’s digital ecosystem.

Welcoming new expertise to our board

We’re delighted to welcome James Charlesworth and Rachel Ovens to our board, bringing a wealth of experience and fresh perspectives to help shape our future direction.

James is a product engineering leader based in Sheffield and site lead for Pendo’s Sheffield office, where he has grown and integrated the company’s local presence into its global R&D function. His experience spans engineering, technical leadership and AI. He also organises Sheffield AI, bringing together engineers, researchers, business leaders and enthusiasts from across the local technology community.

James has been an individual member of Sheffield Digital for over six years and is keen to help us strengthen connections across the sector and support the growth of ambitious technology businesses.

He says:

“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. I’d love to see more successful product companies being built and scaled here, more opportunities for local talent, and stronger connections between businesses, universities and the wider technology community.”

Rachel Ovens, Head of Marketing at independent training provider Whyy? Change, also joins us, bringing strategic marketing and skills development experience. A Chartered Institute of Marketing approved tutor, Rachel specialises in digital marketing, SEO and developing marketing professionals through apprenticeship and professional training programmes.

Rachel is already closely connected to Sheffield Digital and our wider tech community, having attended our events and contributed to our mentoring scheme.

She says:

“As a member, I’ve experienced first-hand how Sheffield Digital has expanded my network and created new opportunities for collaboration, including bringing guest speakers into my marketing apprenticeship groups.

“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.”

We’re looking forward to working with James and Rachel and drawing on their experience, ideas and connections as we develop the next chapter of Sheffield Digital.

Recognising more than a decade of impact

The board changes also mark the end of an era for our co-founder, Mel Kanarek, who has been instrumental in establishing and developing Sheffield Digital since its formation in 2015.

Mel was part of the original team who recognised that Sheffield’s digital businesses needed a collective voice and greater representation. Over the past decade, she has helped build Sheffield Digital into an established membership organisation and a key part of the region’s technology infrastructure.

Her contribution extends beyond Sheffield, having 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.

Reflecting on our journey, Mel is proud of what has been achieved and the growth she has witnessed across the city’s digital sector. She believes Sheffield’s digital business landscape is now maturing, with more people choosing to establish or relocate businesses in the city. She also has some thoughts about what comes next for Sheffield Digital:

“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. I’d really like that group and the community as a whole to be more diverse.

“I know that Sheffield Digital is in very good hands and in a few years time, I want to say to myself ‘Wow, look what they did, that’s fantastic!'”

We’re incredibly grateful to Mel for everything she’s helped build over the past 11 years. Her contribution has been fundamental to Sheffield Digital becoming what it is today, and we’re pleased to know she leaves with confidence in the people and community taking it forward.

Building resilience for a changing landscape

Alongside our board changes, we’re also pleased to share a number of new developments that will strengthen our reach and our ability to support members.

These include a new partnership with Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, the introduction of a new Associate Sponsor, Anthology North, a new Enterprise Member, CGI, and a collaboration with the University of Sheffield to explore how small and medium-sized businesses are navigating the rapidly evolving world of AI.

Together, these developments reflect our ambition to build stronger connections across the business community and ensure that Sheffield’s digital sector has the support, insight and representation it needs to thrive, and to respond to change.

As a not-for-profit membership organisation, we receive no public-sector funding. Our work is funded through membership fees, sponsorships and partnerships, allowing us to remain independent and sustainable. We work with a small team of freelance specialists, supported by our volunteer board.

Today, we’re proud to represent more than 80 company members and over 100 individual members, alongside a wider network of ecosystem partners. Our activities span people development, business development and profile building, with services including our established mentoring scheme, member jobs board, South Yorkshire tech events calendar, marketing channels, networking opportunities and a Slack community of more than 2,000 people.

With new leadership, new ideas and new supporters coming on board, we’re building on these foundations and continuing to evolve in response to the needs of our community.

The challenges facing businesses are significant, from economic uncertainty to the transformative impact of AI. But so too are the opportunities. Our focus is on ensuring that local businesses and professionals can navigate this changing landscape together, making the most of the region’s collective expertise, connections and ambition.

We’re excited about what comes next and, most importantly, about working with our members and partners to make it happen.