As the region’s digital economy is expanding 125% faster than the national average.* Leeds Digital Festival returns this month with its Mini-Fest from 21-23 April to support skills development and growth.
This year’s small but mighty event will explore how the rapid surge in AI and data science is fundamentally reshaping the Northern job market. It is creating high-value career pathways and cementing Leeds’ status as a premier global tech hub.
A packed programme of nine interactive events across two days will showcase how this innovation is driving local employment and economic resilience.
The 2026 Mini-Fest marks a significant milestone as Deb Hetherington begins her first full year as Festival Director, succeeding Stuart Clarke MBE, who takes on the role of chair.
A core theme for 2026 is the ethical deployment of technology and the use of data for prevention and safety. High-profile sessions include:
- The FCA discussing how they use AI and data to keep modern consumers safe.
- Headline sponsor CGI will lead a discussion on technology for good, exploring how tech can help modify behaviour. They will be joined by Gamstop and Skipton Building Society.
- Audacia will explore cybersecurity risks and highlight how AI can act as an attack enabler.
- Nexus Connect will focus on preventative health and how innovation shapes the future of long-term health management.
The festival also shines a light on Leeds as a premier digital city. The city is home to over 9,000 digital companies and is recognised as a key location for tech scale-ups. With the digital sector contributing significantly to the regional GVA, the festival bridges education and employment.
A flagship panel event organised by Leeds Digital will bring together Leeds Beckett University, Leeds University Business School, Corecom Tech Academy, and Generation. They will discuss strategies to close the regional skills gap and prepare the next generation for an AI-driven workforce.
Deb Hetherington, festival director, said: “Leeds has evolved into a powerhouse for data and AI. We are seeing that translate directly into a new generation of digital roles, from AI ethics specialists to machine learning engineers. The Mini-Fest is designed to highlight that momentum. We are showing how these tools are opening doors for talent across the North and creating a sustainable, high-growth economy that works for everyone. It is a defining moment for the city as we look toward the next few years of innovation.”
The continued success of the festival is made possible by the headline sponsor, CGI, and Platinum sponsors, Skipton Group, alongside a dedicated roster of partners, including Nexus, Accenture and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). As part of the festival’s ethos of sharing insights from experience, Skipton Group will also share exclusive details on how it has modernised its data systems to build institutional resilience, and Accenture will discuss how using AI will continue to change the way software is built and its consequences.
Charlie Moran, head of data capability at Skipton Group, said: “We’re delighted to support Leeds Digital and join Mini-Fest 2026. It’s a great opportunity to share how we’re modernising our data landscape with intelligent, scalable analytics. Maximising the value of digital, data, and technology is critical in enabling us to deliver on our purpose at Skipton Group, and we’re committed to supporting and collaborating with the region’s digital community to build a stronger, more innovative future together.”
The full schedule for the April Mini-Fest is now live at https://leedsdigitalfestival.org/events/, with the main two-week annual festival scheduled to return from 21 September to 2 October 2026.
