Member Article

Big names unveiled for Leeds Digital Job Fair

Barclays, Morrisons, Hitachi and Crisp are just some of the big name companies signed up to exhibit for the first time at Leeds Digital Job Fair 3.0 later this month with hundreds of digital and tech career opportunities on offer.

They will join other major employers including Sky Betting & Gaming, Jet2.com & Jet2holidays, NHS Digital and Northcoders, all confirmed to return to the First Direct Arena on Friday 28 April after successful appearances at the two previous events.

More than 2,000 people and 46 companies attended Leeds Digital Job Fair 2.0 last October. But all records are set to be broken with Leeds Digital Job Fair 3.0 a component part of the inaugural Leeds International Festival.

Sky Betting & Gaming chief executive Richard Flint speaks highly of the event’s positive impact.

He said: “Leeds Digital Jobs Fair is a great way for the city to showcase the range of amazing tech job opportunities that are available here.

“As the city continues to develop a reputation for its fast growing digital sector we believe the fair can help demonstrate just why it is such a great city to build a career in.

“We’re looking forward to highlighting some of the exciting roles we have from across Sky Betting & Gaming.”

In a major coup for organisers Herd, debut exhibitor Barclays will also arrive with an impressive range of jobs for the right candidates.

Julian Bucknall, head of people and engagement, Barclays UK Technology, said: “Technology is the key enabler for Barclays to create the best digital banking experience for our 24 million customers.

“At Barclays Technology Centre Radbroke in Knutsford, Cheshire we have changed the way we design and implement to ensure our customer needs are the driving focus.

“We have embraced open source technologies and we are evolving with the world of technology, but without putting ourselves at risk.

“We’re looking for all types of people with technology experience including developers, testers, cyber and security consultants, project managers and data analysts.”

There is a lot of excitement that Crisp, the renowned global authority on social media risk, will also make its first exhibitor appearance at the First Direct Arena.

Adam Hildreth, the serial entrepreneur who established the Leeds-based company in 2005, said Crisp had exciting plans that it was keen to discuss.

He said: “Crisp protect thousands of the world’s big-name brands, and from our hub in Leeds we are leading the global fight against offensive, illegal and toxic content on social media.

“Over the next few years we will be investing millions in our machine learning development to better understand user generated content risks and hope to find the best minds in everything from mathematics and machine learning to UX and DevOps at Leeds Digital Jobs Fair 3.0.”

A hugely welcome returnee is Northcoders, the leading coding bootcamp and a staunch supporter of the first two Leeds Digital Job Fairs.

The firm’s co-founder Chris Hill said: “Northcoders have exhibited at all of the Leeds Herd events to date.

“Northcoders works with both businesses looking to hire software developers and individuals looking to learn to code.

“We have met many of our students and clients through Leeds Herd events and will continue to exhibit at them for years to come.”

Herd founder Amy De-Balsi, who has once again masterminded Leeds Digital Job Fair 3.0, believes attendees will be treated to the most potent blend of exhibitors in the short history of the event.

She said: “We set the bar very high when we staged the first Leeds Digital Job Fair and I am grateful to LeedsBID, Leeds City Council, Leeds Beckett University and the First Direct Arena for their continued support as we make final preparations for Leeds Digital Job Fair 3.0.

“Our success is evidenced by the quality of exhibitors who keep coming back, as well as the many leading-edge businesses that will be joining us for the first time on 28 April.

“There are a limited number of exhibition spaces still available but time is clearly running short.

“Students, graduates and tech professionals seeking a career change are invited to book their tickets for free, as many hundreds have already done.

“I have no doubt that it will be a remarkable day with a vast array of opportunities for career advancement in digital and tech there for the taking.

“The Leeds digital and tech success story is being written at a remarkable pace. Leeds Digital Job Fair 3.0 will start the next exhilarating chapter.”

Employers interested in claiming one of the few remaining exhibition spaces at the event can request further information by emailing amy@herd.careers

Students or job seekers wanting to book their place or find out about current vacancies available through Herd can register online at www.herd.careers

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Barry White .