# Sheffield Digital strengthens its leadership and expands support for members

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/sheffield-digital-strengthens-its-leadership-and-expands-support-for-members/
- Published: 2026-11-11T08:57:47+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T09:38:14+00:00
- Original publisher: Sheffield Digital
- Original article: https://sheffield.digital/sheffield-digital-strengthens-its-leadership-and-expands-support-for-members/
- Topics: Sheffield

## Key points

- Sheffield Digital adds two directors.
- Mel Kanarek steps down after more than 11 years.
- The organisation aims to strengthen support for local tech.

## Summary

Sheffield Digital has appointed James Charlesworth and Rachel Ovens to its board as it plans to expand support for the region’s digital businesses and professionals. The organisation says the changes come as artificial intelligence and economic pressures reshape the sector, making new expertise and stronger connections important.

Charlesworth, a product engineering leader at Pendo and organiser of Sheffield AI, brings experience in engineering and AI. Ovens, head of marketing at training provider Whyy? Change, specialises in digital marketing and skills development. Co-founder Mel Kanarek is stepping down after more than 11 years of work building the organisation, contributing to the UK Tech Cluster Group and helping launch Sheffield’s first Digital Festival.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.