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Hello, and welcome back to our monthly newsletter!
We're looking forward to sharing our Delivery Plan for 2026 later this month. As we move into our final year of delivery, we've been reflecting on the progress we've made over the last few years, and our plans moving forward. With a refreshed approach that better reflects the interconnected nature of our work, we're excited to share the projects we'll be focusing on over the next twelve months.
You might have also caught us out and about across Manchester's digital ecosystem! In April, Senior Digital Strategy Officer Megan Lawless joined a panel at the Digital Environment Conference, hosted by Digital Futures at the University of Manchester in collaboration with NERC. As part of a thought-provoking discussion with other sector leaders, Megan was pleased to share insights on how how new technologies can be harnessed responsibly and equitably to shape a better future for the planet. Our Digital Strategy Lead, Sherelle Fairweather, will also be speaking at Smart Cities World Summit in June, exploring the role of data governance in smart city innovation.
Interested in hearing more from us? Make sure to catch us at DTX, where we'll be joining some fantastic partners to share learnings and insights on inclusion, AI and cybersecurity.
In this month's newsletter, we're also sharing a new forum for the Tech for Good community; reflecting on an insightful day in Westminster for the Digital Communities APPG Roundtable; and highlighting an incredible opportunity for businesses to improve their financial literacy.
Happy reading, and see you next month!
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Last month, we hosted our AI, Ethics and Public Engagement Unconference in partnership with Nexer Digital.
Bringing together public sector leaders, academics and civic tech practitioners from across Manchester's tech ecosystem, the event explored how artificial intelligence can be implemented responsibly and inclusively to benefit the whole of society.
The day was filled with debate, dicussion and plenty of food for thought! To keep the conversation going, we've since helped to launch the Tech for Good Community Manchester Group – a place-based, public LinkedIn space designed to sit alongside existing networks.
If you’re interested in exploring how technology can be used to make a positive impact on people's lives, follow the link below to find out more or get involved!
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We're thrilled to speaking at this year's Digital Transformation Expo!
The anchor event of Manchester Tech Week, DTX is one of the North's leading IT and Innovation conferences, bringing together leaders from across the UK's digital transformation community. We're excited to explore new innovations, perspectives and connections and to share our learnings.
Here's where you can expect to see our team, and our incredible partners, in action:
Day 1 - Wednesday 29th April
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12:10 - 12:55
PANEL: The resilience blueprint: uniting AI, security and DevOps for bulletproof operations
WITH: Jon Burt, Head of Enterprise Architecture, Manchester City Council
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14:00 - 14:45
PANEL: Progress at a price: addressing the AI elephant in the room.
WITH: Keeley Crockett, Professor in Computational Intelligence, MMU and Richard Whittle, Professor of AI & Public Policy, University of Salford
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15:35 - 16:20
PANEL: Inclusion isn't a perk - it's your competitive edge
WITH: Kanika Selvan, Founder, Beetroot Consulting
Day 2 - Thursday 30th April
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15:10 - 15:55
PANEL: The multi-generational workplace
WITH: Sherelle Fairweather, Digital Strategy Lead, Manchester City Council
Learn more or register for your ticket below!
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This month, we travelled to Westminster to join the Local Government Association's Digital Communities All-Party Parliamentary Group roundtable, chaired by Helen Morgan MP.
Bringing together policymakers, regulators and industry leaders, the discussion focused on mobile coverage mapping, data transparency, and practical steps to improve cross-sector collaboration.
Senior Digital Strategy Officer Megan Lawless attended the discussion to contribute views on Manchester’s experience of capacity mapping and its benefits for applications for planning, digital inclusion and development.
Key themes included the need for consistent, accurate data and a clear desire for greater capacity building within local government to build better working relationships with MNOs and Industry partners.
We're excited to see outcomes from the conversation, and to continue working with partners to help drive better connectivity for communities across the UK.
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 Female Founders Takeover at Venture Café
Join Bruntwood SciTech and Venture Café for the biggest gathering of female founders in the North!
The Female Founders Takeover is a bold and inspiring evening bringing together female founders, entrepreneurs, and allies to connect, collaborate, and share their voices.
Designed to unite and amplify the largest collective of female founder communities in the North, the event creates a powerful space where women in business come together under one roof to connect, support, and grow.
Alongside meaningful conversations and honest storytelling, the event will also showcase female-led businesses, giving founders the opportunity to share their products and services with an engaged and supportive audience.
The evening is about more than networking, it’s about visibility, collaboration, and creating real opportunities for women to be seen, heard, and supported in business.
Register for your place below!
Xero's Unlock Your Numbers Programme
Are you a small business or solo founder looking to improve your financial literacy?
Xero's free Unlock Your Numbers programme supports SMEs and entrepreneurs to build their foundational financial knowledge through easy-to-digest learning resources. Resources include support with understanding business finances, financial statements, budgeting and how to get ready for for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.
As part of the programme, businesses can also connect with a volunteer accountant or bookkeeper for support in how to apply learnings from Unlock Your Numbers to their organisation.
Learn more or explore the resources on Xero's website by clicking on the link below.
Code Your Future
Do you know someone who’s interested in starting a tech career but faces barriers to getting started? CodeYourFuture offers free tech training and job support to adults on a low income – no experience required!
Learners begin with the free Intro to Digital course and can progress to more advanced pathways, including software development, cloud engineering, business analysis and more.
With 1:1 mentoring, a community of support, and tailored help to secure a job in tech, previous CodeYourFuture graduates have secured roles at organisations such as Google, the BBC, Capgemini and Slack!
Applicants must be over 18, on a low income, have reasonable English, and access to a computer. Find out more about the programme by heading over to the Code Your Future website using the link below.
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Digital Inclusion Good News
This month, the Digital Inclusion team visited Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School to gift laptops and Mi‑Fi units to families as part of the Making Manchester Fairer project.
During the visit, the team supported parents with setting up their new laptops, helping them to get online with ease.
Thanks to this project, 10 families now have access to up-to-date and appropriate technology to support learning at home, job seeking and access to essential services - helping to make Manchester more digitally equal.
Find out more about the team, including ways to get involved, by clicking on the link below.
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 Every month, we'll be sharing updates, news, and opportunities from the Digital Strategy Team, our partners, and the wider digital ecosystem. Whether you're interested in collaborating, have questions, or simply want to learn more about our ambitious vision for Manchester's digital future, we'd love to hear from you!
Find out about the different ways you can reach us below:
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