Support is key for tech
Sheffield is beginning to make a name for itself in the digital sector but what is really heartening to see, hear and be part of is that the firms at the core of this success want to push the city even further.
The consensus is that there is a digital skills shortage across the city region which hampers rapid growth and leads to the perception that other northern cities are better places for businesses to set up.
I was lucky enough to attend a round-table alongside some of the most forward-thinking business people in Sheffield where we looked to address the issue.
The event, hosted by The Developer Academy and Sheffield Digital, at Kollider was chaired by Simon Cookson from Northern Value Creators.
What I found most impressive was an aim not just to get better but to become number one.
Jamie Hinton, co-founder and chief executive of Razor, said: “Wouldn’t it be great if we had talent spilling out of Sheffield? If there were enough talented people working here that it didn’t matter if they spilled out to Leeds or Manchester to work?
“I want to see kids learning how to problem solve, how to be flexible and responsive. I want us to be at a place where we aren’t scared of losing people, because there are lots more people with problem solving skills – skillful technologists.”
Russ Stearman technical director at Joi Polloi, said the natural movement of people from agency to agency shouldn’t be a problem as there’d always be new talent coming through the ranks.
He explained: “I’d like to have people naturally progressing through our agency and moving on without us having to worry about it because someone new will come to us to learn and develop in the same way.
“It would be great to have this kind of shuffle round in a ‘tech hub’ that we are all comfortable with because there are enough people.”
Inevitably the spotlight often falls on the excellent work that Sheffield Digital are doing but as co-founder Mel Kanarek explains the onus is on the firms to help.
“One of the things I want to do is a tech leaders’ dinner. Maybe this is a jumping off point for what we are discussing?” she said.
“The other critical point for Sheffield Digital’s role in the community is a problem of resource. People are looking at us to make things happen but we do not have people whose job it is to speak to schools, for example. So, how we go from great ideas to action? Do I go to members and ask for more money to fund it? I need your help to make this happen.”
Comparisons were drawn at several points in the conversation between The Cutlers Company and the idea of a digital ecosystem in Sheffield.
Simon Ince, director of core tech at SkyBet echoed Mel’s views that business has to invest. He said: “The Cutlers Company wasn’t built from public money, it has always been privately funded from people who believe in the ideas and want to invest in them.”
It was a fascinating afternoon spent in the company of people who care passionately about the sector. For a full report of the session visit Sheffield.Digital
Full list of attendees:
Richard Fidler – unLTD magazine, Mel Kanarek – Sheffield Digital, Claire Fletcher – Sheffield Digital, Liz Wallis – Sheffield Digital Skills Action Group, Simon Ince – Sky Betting & Gaming, Emily Dreiman – David & Jane Richards Family Foundation, Nina Swanwick – Aviva, Russ Stearman – Joi Polloi, Greg Brotherton – Servelec Technologies, Jamie Hinton – Razor, David Walsh – The Star, Ben Atha – The Developer Academy. Chair: Simon Cookson – Northern Value Creators.
