Sheffield Digital refreshes board and targets AI growth as co-founder departs
Sheffield Digital has unveiled a leadership reshuffle as the regional technology body positions itself to help firms navigate the rapid rise of artificial intelligence.
The changes were confirmed at the organisation’s Autumn Senior Leaders Dinner, where co-founder Mel Kanarek stepped down after more than 11 years helping build the network from its launch in 2015. Taking seats on the board are two new directors: James Charlesworth and Rachel Ovens.
Mr Charlesworth, site lead for Pendo’s Sheffield office and organiser of the Sheffield AI community, brings deep product and engineering leadership experience to the role.
He 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. 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.”
Ms Ovens, Head of Marketing at training provider Whyy? Change, adds strategic marketing and skills development expertise.
She 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.”
The leadership transition coincides with several new initiatives, including a collaboration with the University of Sheffield to explore how small and medium-sized enterprises are managing AI disruption. Sheffield Digital has also formed a partnership with Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and welcomed Anthology North as an Associate Sponsor.
Ms Kanarek, who also helped establish the national UK Tech Cluster Group and ran the city’s Digital Festival, backed the new direction.
She 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. 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!'”
Operating without public sector funding, the independent not-for-profit currently represents more than 80 company members and over 100 individual members.