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Industry body for the city-region’s tech sector, Manchester Digital, has announced the dates and line-up for its annual Digital Skills Festival in February 2025.
After over a decade of uniting digital businesses across Greater Manchester, the event has this year been re-designed and re-branded for a new era to help propel the growth of the regional tech sector. Manchester Metropolitan University has been confirmed as the Education Partner for the event.
Katie Gallagher OBE, Manchester Digital’s managing director, said:
“With a new Government focused on Apprenticeship Levy reform and the development of Skills England, it’s vital that the region and the tech sector have a strong voice in shaping new skills and tech policies.
“Manchester, one of Europe’s fastest-growing tech hubs, is home to over 86,000 tech professionals and the Digital Skills Festival is the perfect platform to reflect and focus on the workforce that we need to build and skill for the future. It’s an opportunity for tech businesses to showcase their commitment to innovation, diversity and community impact while strengthening the link between industry and education.”
Hannah Holmes, Dean of Business School at Manchester Metropolitan University, said:
“We’re excited to participate in the Digital Skills Festival 2025. As a leading institution, we recognise the critical role of digital expertise in shaping the future of education, business, and the economy. This event aligns with our commitment to advancing digital skills, innovation, and knowledge exchange across sectors. By engaging with industry leaders and showcasing our cutting-edge research, we’re helping to drive Greater Manchester’s digital future and solidifying our role as a hub for digital transformation and education.”
This year’s festival will focus on key themes—pathways into technology, talent, diversity, leadership, and of course, skills. The event runs from Monday, February 10 to Friday February 14, at three iconic cultural venues in the city centre which will be transformed into hubs of innovation, talent, and leadership.
Highlights include a celebration of diversity led by our flagship programme Digital Her, the return of the ever-successful Talent Day with an emphasis on early pathway options, an exciting tech competition for school-aged children and an exclusive VIP Leaders Evening, called Digital Skills Feast to wrap up the week in style.
The new branding has been designed by Stockport-based creative agency GOTO Creative and is vibrant, modern and dynamic. Through its use of colourful graphic iconography and contemporary portrait imagery, it is reflective of the diverse digital communities it represents.
Sam Stephens, head of digital at AtkinsRéalis, headline sponsor for this year’s event, added:
“AtkinsRéalis is proud to celebrate Manchester’s thriving tech community as Headline Festival Sponsor of the 2025 Digital Skills Festival. Our North West teams are forging ahead with the digital innovation needed to deliver sustainable infrastructure, nuclear and clean energy, and we’re looking forward to sharing the wealth of our career opportunities in Manchester to help power a net zero future.”
The agenda for the Digital Skills Festival 2025 includes:
Monday, February 10, 2025 – Future Innovators Day – GM Schools Challenge
New to the Digital Skills Festival 2025, we kick off the week by celebrating the future stars of the tech industry—young innovators from across Greater Manchester. We are excited to be working with Amazon to bring this great opportunity to our region’s young people. Amazon will be providing technical mentors and platform access as part of the challenge.
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 – Digital Her Day: Driving Diversity
Digital Her: Driving Diversity offers an inclusive, interactive alternative to the traditional conference, featuring action-learning workshops, topic-focused panels, guest speakers, and meaningful networking opportunities. This interactive day will take place at cultural venue HOME Manchester.
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 – Talent Day
Talent Day is our flagship event, attracting over 2000 attendees, with a focus on early careers and pathways into the tech industry. Taking place at New Century Hall, this day offers unparalleled opportunities for brand visibility, talent acquisition, and skill-sharing.
Thursday, February 13, 2025 – Digital Skills Feast: A VIP Leaders Evening and Dinner
An exclusive gathering of leaders, policymakers, and change makers at a regional and national level at The Revolution Gallery at the Science and Industry Museum.
Friday, December 14, 2025: We Love Digital Skills – A Digital Week in Review
Friday is dedicated to celebrating the week’s successes with a digital reflection on everything we love about skills in the tech sector.