Get ready for the Yorkshire Tech Awards 2026

Technology leader specialising in IT strategy, cyber security and digital transformation. As Group Head of IT at Northern Estate Agencies, I lead technology, communications and cyber security across a multi-brand property group.

I also support organisations as a Fractional IT Director and Non-Executive Director, helping deliver technology strategy, governance, cyber resilience and business transformation. My experience spans Microsoft technologies, cloud services, CRM platforms, infrastructure, M&A integration and supplier management.

As a Senior Director at Microsoft, I lead AI and cloud transformation across a $5B+ EMEA Software & Digital Platforms portfolio, partnering with global ISVs, SaaS companies, digital natives, and platform leaders to accelerate adoption, consumption, customer success, and growth. Before relocating from Silicon Valley to London, I helped lead Microsoft’s $7B+ Americas cloud and AI business, driving global adoption of Copilot, Azure OpenAI, LLMs, and AI-powered SaaS solutions across some of the world’s most influential companies.

Having inherited from an engineering grandfather a curiosity into how things are made, Mark’s interest in companies that make things makes his role as manufacturing sector development manager an ideal one.

With a proven background in both public and private sector business facing roles in professional and financial services, IT and technology as well as retail and business support and strategic policy, Mark is a commercially minded, natural communicator and influencer bringing enthusiasm and drive to ensure the best results for any business. With a natural ability to interface Mark is often described as the bridge between a company and the support needed to deliver its ability to develop and grow.

Delivery focused Senior IT Manager who regularly exceeds expectations and inspires teams to succeed.

Significant experience of successfully leading IT deliveries on critical bank wide (strategic & regulatory) programmes across complex technical data landscapes.

Enjoys operating in a challenging and testing environment, but remains calm, enthusiastic and approachable under pressure.

Builds strong project delivery teams and has excellent Senior Stakeholder Management and Communication skills up to board level. Displays strong values and behaviours – is easy to do business with.

Stuart Clarke MBE is the founder and chair of Leeds Digital, Yorkshire’s largest tech community. Leeds Digital runs the annual Leeds Digital Festival, the largest open-platform tech event in the UK. 

Stuart also founded the annual UK Tech Week which brings together regional tech ecosystems, alongside national advocacy organisations, to celebrate tech across the UK. The 2026 UK Tech Week saw over 50 regional ecosystems take part, from Ipswich to Glasgow, Cardiff to Sunderland, Belfast to Exeter and all points between.

Running his own marketing and PR consultancy, working with startup and scaleup firms in the tech sector, he is also a non-executive director and adviser to a number of startups. Stuart devised and runs the PARSE peer roundtable programme for startup founders and is the creator of the Leeds Tech Map.

Stuart was awarded the honour of MBE in King Charles’ 2023 New Year Honours list for Services to the Technology Sector.

Tom Elliott is Chief Executive Officer of Medilink North of England, a role he has held since 2021, having joined the organisation in 2013 as International Manager.

With over 20 years’ experience in the medical device and life sciences sector, Tom has worked across quality management, regulation, and international market development, supporting both multinational organisations and UK SMEs to bring innovative products to market.

He has a strong track record in product development, regulatory approval, and global commercialisation.

Prior to Medilink, Tom established, scaled and supported the sale a US-based medical device subsidiary, alongside establishing international distribution networks worldwide. He has also worked closely with the Department for Business and Trade for over a decade, helping shape and deliver the UK’s international trade strategy for medical technologies.

As CEO, Tom leads Medilink’s regional and national activities, connecting industry, academia and the NHS to accelerate innovation and improve patient outcomes. He is a recognised advocate for the life sciences sector, regularly contributing to national and international forums, and serves on a number of public and industry advisory boards.

Will is Senior Manager of AI Innovation within Google’s internal ad tech division, where he designs, builds, and scales machine learning, LLM, and generative AI applications for marketing. Deployed across Google’s multi-billion-dollar digital media engine, his systems drive efficiency, effectiveness, and speed.

A specialist in algorithmic optimisation and privacy-first architecture, Will combines deep engineering rigour with sharp commercial acumen. Previously Global VP of Data Science at Brainlabs and a technical lead at Essence, he has designed award-winning AI solutions recognised by Campaign Tech and The Drum.