Sheffield Digital Podcast

Artificial intelligence is changing software engineering faster than almost any previous technology shift - but what does that mean for developers, employers and the next generation entering the industry? In this episode of the Sheffield Digital Podcast, Mel Kanarek is joined by James Charlesworth, Director of Engineering at Pendo's Sheffield office and organiser of Sheffield AI Meetup. They discu...

In this second episode of our Talking AI series, host Mel Kanarek speaks with Dr. Susan Oman from The University of Sheffield, Centre for Machine Intelligence, about the public-facing Let’s Talk AI awareness campaign seen on Sheffield bus shelters in March and April 2026. Susan explains that many people are already talking about AI but lack clarity about what it is, when it is used, and how it aff...

In this first episode of our Talking AI series, host Sarah Lister is joined by James Jefferies for a conversation recorded on Kinder Scout in the Peak District. Together, they explore the idea of “rewilding” beyond landscapes and into our digital lives, drawing parallels between ecological restoration and the way today’s internet has become increasingly centralised, controlled, and optimised for a...

In this episode we interview Catherine who is a Content Designer in the Automation Centre at the Home Office. She works within a user-centred design team supporting multiple projects aimed at automating processes to make life easier for Home Office staff. She describes how her brother, a developer, introduced her to content design and how she applied twice for a role, being rejected the first time...

This episode of the Sheffield Digital Podcast discusses the benefits and value of hosting work placements as part of The Sheffield College's T-Levels program. The discussions highlight how these placements help bridge the gap between education and the workforce, preparing students for future careers while also benefiting local businesses by nurturing homegrown talent. Tom King from Reach Studios s...

Angel shares her unconventional career path, transitioning from over 20 years in the food industry to the tech world and eventually founding her own consultancy. She discusses the inspiration behind her career change, the importance of continual learning, and her expertise in using playful methodologies like LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and AI Design Sprints™ to help organizations navigate change and devel...

In this episode, we interview Kieran, a Senior Product Manager from the Home Office's Police and Public Protection Technology portfolio. Kieran discusses his role in managing the product lifecycle, his career journey from university to the Home Office, and the diverse skill set required for his job.  Kieran also shares his experiences as an LGBTQ+ professional, highlighting the inclusive cult...

Katie Fenn and Amy Benson, organisers of Front End North, discuss their involvement in the Sheffield tech community and the upcoming Front End North conference. Scheduled for 10th July 2025 at Sheffield Hallam University, the event will feature eight talks covering a range of topics including design, software development, and accessibility.  They emphasise the importance of an accessible, low...

In this episode you’ll find out why Sheffield Digital was set up ten years ago, what has happened over the years, and what the future holds. Mel and Chris, two of the Co-founders and Directors, return to the podcast to celebrate ten years of Sheffield Digital. They discuss whether their initial expectations for Sheffield Digital have been met, most memorable moments, biggest achievements and chang...

Richard Kerr shares his career path to becoming Business Development Manager at Hydra Creative. His story includes why he changed his degree from Architecture to English Language and Literature, how being a chef got him into Marketing, and what he does in his job now. Hydra Creative is a full-service digital marketing agency. Services include bespoke website design & development, graphic desig...

This episode features an interview with Sophie from the Home Office. Sophie is Head of Data Science for Automation and Innovation at Home Office Digital. Sophie tells us about what her job involves, her pathway into tech, and what it’s like balancing work and motherhood. Subscribe to the podcast If you’d like to have new episodes of the show appear right in your podcast player, you can subscribe v...

Just imagine if you could sit down with a solicitor specialising in Intellectual Property (IP) and ask them everything you need to know at the beginning of your tech journey. Well, we did just that with Kerry Russell, an IP Lawyer at Shakespeare Martineau, which is one of our Associate Sponsors.  Kerry gives us an overview of IP and the main IP rights that people need to know about, then she...

This episode features an interview with Odette McHenry and Hannah Turner from the UK Home Office. Odette is Deputy Director for Automation and Innovation in the Home Office Digital Department. Hannah is the Head of Commissioning for Automation and AI.  Odette and Hannah tell us about what their individual jobs involve, the unique pathways they have taken towards working in tech, and what they...

Grace Accad, co-organiser of the SheffieldR Users Group Meetup, tells us what to expect from the events they hold, the wide range of topics they cover, and who usually attends. She also shares why she put herself forward to join the organising team. This is your chance to find out about other similar meetups in Sheffield. These include Sheffield Data Analytics User Group and R-Ladies Sheffield. Su...

Gary Neville, co-organiser and co-host of the Sheffield Startup Meetup, shares the challenges of running a community startup event, explains the success of the format, and tells us about the common shared realities of the founder's journey. Gary touches on some of the risks attached to becoming a founder, emphasises the importance of encouraging diversity of thought within teams, and says that it...

Giorgio Cassella, Managing Director at Evoluted, shares the story behind the roots and growth of Sheffield Digital Marketing Meetup - also known as Sheffield DM.  Since launching in 2018, the meetup has evolved and changed – particularly in response to the pandemic – whilst staying true to the principle of giving something back to the marketing community, celebrating talent, and supporting pr...

Joy Quan shares her journey from starting out as an international student at the University of Sheffield to becoming the Managing Director at Appt China in Kunming. Appt is an international digital agency specialising in bespoke app, web and software development and digital communications in the UK and China. Joy tells us what it was like arriving in Sheffield as a Postgraduate student, how she fo...

This episode of the Sheffield Digital podcast features a group interview with four apprentices working at Tes Global. In collaboration with Makers, Tes offered the opportunity for those passionate about tech to retrain, learn to code, and launch a new career in software development. Jack Thacker, Noelia Perez Marin, Sonia Taylor and Jose Lopez Guerrero were invited to this interview to share what...

How did you get here? Dan Kirby shares his journey to becoming Co-Founder and CEO of The Tech Dept, specialists in working with early-stage startups, particularly impact startups. Their mission is to help impact founders do good at scale.  Dan tells us about his life as an entrepreneur since 2001, the highs and lows of running a business, and why he started a podcast called “Honey, I blew up...

How did you get here? Dash Tabor shares her journey to becoming the founder of an AI machine learning startup. Dash Tabor didn’t expect to work in tech, never mind to start her own deep-tech company specialising in the application of AI for small and incomplete datasets. Growing up, she felt that tech wasn’t her, that it was too complicated and too ‘mathy’. However, after completing a Masters in C...

Last autumn, Mina announced that it had become B Corporation (B Corp) certified. The global B Corp movement sets a standard for businesses who want to ‘do good’ through their actions towards the environment, their employees and the impact they make in their local community. In this interview with Mina Co-Founder and Managing Director, Chris Dalrymple, he tells us about the process, why it took lon...

‘Sheffield Digital Insight’ focuses on careers in the tech sector. In a series of interviews with people who work in the Sheffield City Region, we are starting a conversation about different roles, the skills you need or can expect to learn, and everything that is exciting and inspiring about working in tech.  This episode features Ryan Temple who is Head of Product Development at Tes. Sarah...

Mel follows-up with Dan and Andrew from Airship, delves into some Sheffield history and finds out the highs and lows of reinventing a tech business. If you listened to Episode 72 of this podcast, you will have heard us chat with two very successful start-ups: Mina and Airship. You will also have discovered that Airship isn’t really a start-up; the company was originally set up in 2003. Since then,...

In episode 73 of the Sheffield Digital podcast we talk to Natalie Ward, City Manager for CityFibre. We’re also joined by Giorgio Cassella, Head of Marketing at Evoluted and founder of Afterwork.gg, and Adam Jessop, founder and CEO of Endpoint Gaming. First up, we ask Natalie about how she got into working in broadband connectivity, what changes she has seen over time, and getting more young people...

In the first half of episode 72 we discuss product development and scalability, working remotely and hiring during national lockdowns, Sheffield as a tech business location, how to encourage people to enter careers in tech, and diversity in the industry. And here are our guests: Julian Cole, Lead Developer, and Andrew Whiteley, Director, from Airship. Laurie Nicholas, Principal UX Developer, and A...