The data sector in Yorkshire gets a boost

The data sector in Yorkshire is set for a boost with the launch of a new networking community aimed at senior data leaders in the North.

The Data Crowd will organise events across the region to support a sector that is estimated to be worth £95bn by 2025.* The inaugural event will see Andy Mott, EMEA head of partner solutions, Starburst, lead with a session on data mesh, one of the industry’s hottest trends.

Tom Hill, chief customer officer and co-founder of Hyper will also speak about decision intelligence.

Industry analysts Gartner named decision intelligence as one of their top strategic trends for 2022. The event will demystify the subject and provide a practical guide for how companies can harness decision intelligence to improve business performance.

Commenting on the launch, Andy Crossley, director at Oakland Group, said, “We wanted to create a place where people in the data sector can come together in a safe space. Sharing their experiences of what has worked and, more importantly, what has failed, which is often more useful. The data sector is full of buzzwords, so we specifically set up The Data Crowd to debunk some of the hype. With more organisations moving out of London, we want to position the North as the centre for data excellence.”

The Data Crowd is launching in Leeds and has plans to host events across the North of England.

Peter Denby, chief commercial officer and co-founder of Hyper, said: “The North of England has a thriving data scene with many innovative, successful companies delivering business value through the intelligent application of data. We’re excited to partner with The Oakland Group on The Data Crowd to deliver a community that data professionals in the region deserve.”

Data Crowd was founded by The Oakland Group and Hyper and is supported by Starburst and Sky Bet.

Ken Wanless, director, EMEA Alliances and Ecosystem at Starburst, concluded: “It is great to be in Leeds and supporting such a fast-growing data sector. Companies here are doing leading-edge work that will help position the region as a global data hub.”

The first event takes place at 6 pm on 23 June at Headrow House in central Leeds. Booking is essential https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-data-crowd-1-tickets-347098168967?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Pictured: (left to right) Andy Crossley and Peter Denby.