Alina_Eden_Cornea_1793968137354

Alina Eden Cornea

This is a funny, unconventional and surprisingly insightful story about the extraordinary things that can happen when you embrace spontaneity, talk to strangers and stay open to possibility.

What started as a late-night craving for garlic prawns turned into an impulsive trip to Bratislava. Somewhere along the way, I found myself performing stand-up comedy in a pub, making connections with complete strangers and having conversations that unexpectedly opened doors to potential partnerships for a fintech event in Malaysia.

No carefully planned networking strategy. No meticulously organised meetings. Just curiosity, a little audacity and a willingness to see where the next conversation might lead.

Through this entertaining personal story, I explore the art of human connection, the power of stepping outside your comfort zone and why some of the most valuable business opportunities begin in the most unlikely places.

Because networking doesn't always happen in conference rooms, and sometimes the best opportunities start with something as ridiculous as garlic prawns.

The takeaway? Never underestimate a conversation with a stranger. You never know where it might take you.

The Bratislava Incident: From Garlic Prawns To Global Partnerships

Mr_Daniel_Woolfson_1793968112388

Mr Daniel Woolfson

What does it take to go from playing competitive club badminton to representing England at a European Championship?
In this lightning talk, Daniel Woolfson shares the 18-month journey that led to a single breakfast before the European Senior Badminton Championships in Sardinia. 
He speaks on decoding a qualification pathway, selecting the right tournaments, balancing everyday life, and managing the logistics of international travel down to the contingency planning needed to arrive match-ready.
But the most powerful revelation came once he stepped onto the international court. While seasoned opponents often held clear advantages in physicality and prior international experience, Daniel discovered something unexpected: his competitive mindset matched theirs.

Beyond the sport, this talk explores how to break down an audacious goal, sustain momentum, invest your energy intelligently, and build the quiet confidence to compete alongside people who initially seem out of reach.
Ultimately, this is a story about preparing for a challenge before you feel entirely ready, discovering your true limits, and realising that you belong in the room—or on the court.  And you definitely need that breakfast before you play, what ever the hour.

Representing England in Badminton.  the Breakfast Mentality.

Frances_Buontempo_1791195213633

Frances Buontempo

Fran will tell you how she accidentally became an author. Can you code your way out of a paper bag? What does this even mean? Fran asked herself the same question a long while ago and has been learning and discovering more than you might think possible from such a question. Fran will show possible solutions ranging from cellular automata to diffusion. We’ll see how having a go-to problem to try out new languages, libraries and algorithms can facilitate learning. Also, proving you can code your way out of a paper bag is a handy skill.

A Personal Project That Got Out of Hand.

Owen_Gleadall_1791313196257

Owen Gleadall

Primary radar was becoming unreliable as the method of controlling air traffic movements as the number of aircraft operating over the UK was growing dramatically and there was great concern about the safety of passengers when using the old technology. Something had to be done so, using a technique whose initial development was done during WWII, it was decided that a whole new way of managing aircraft movements and control across our skies would have to be developed. My talk today takes you through the process and where we stand on air traffic control in 2026.

How We Moved From Primary Radar Systems To Plot Extraction For Modern Atc

Reza_Amini_1791559713228

Reza Amini

More teams are now shipping AI agents, and when we change one, we usually run the whole agent again, and if the output looks right, we ship it. The catch is that an agent can take a different path each time it runs, so one good run doesn't tell you much, and checking properly means re-running it live again and again. In ten minutes I'll share what I've learned about testing agents properly: capture real runs as they happen, reproduce them exactly without re-running anything live, then change one step and check the result on that same run before it ships.

Checking It Twice: Testing An Ai Agent Change Before It Ships

Pete_Horner_1793641344065

Pete Horner

Imagine spending years developing a product, only to discover that the thing you've actually created isn't what you thought it was at all.

This short session explores how customer needs, unexpected opportunities and changing circumstances can challenge our assumptions about what a product should and could be.

The Product You Never Intended To Build

Susie Jha.jpg

Susie Jha

Have you ever stayed in a role or company you’re unhappy with because the fear of the unknown was too strong? I have, and it sucks. Earlier this year, I left my role as a Technical Project Manager for a financial services company and stepped into the unknown with a PM role in IT Consultancy. I’d become comfortable in my previous role and it was all to easy to stay put, but I knew I wasn’t growing. Despite this, the change really tested my imposter syndrome and it took a great deal of courage not to pick up the phone to my old company and take the easy option to go back. I’d like to talk about the lessons I learnt on the way, how to believe in yourself and reassure yourself when self-doubt rears its ugly head and that even if things don’t work out, you will be ok. I’ll talk about some of the strategies I used to feel less daunted and how I built my confidence in my new organisation and role. I’ll reflect on my decision to leave, nine months on and anything I’d do differently next time.

Feel the Fear, and Do It Anyway

Yann_Golanski_1791532677202

Yann Golanski

How do you program a spacecraft? It needs to be safe, or you might kill astronauts, or destroy millions worth of hardware. It needs to be reliable since you cannot patch it whenever: no continuous delivery or Agile here! Furthermore, it must be tight because your hardware is 20 years old technology. Oh, and there are X-rays which will mess up your code. Sounds impossible? It's not. Come and find out who does it and why!

Space, the Final Frontier …

There’s a chill in the air, the Leeds Christmas Market is twinkling, and the festive season is officially around the corner! That can only mean one thing—the legendary Agile Yorkshire Christmas Lightning Talks are back.   
Join us for a fast-paced, high-energy evening packed with holiday cheer, laughter, and community spirit. Eight intrepid speakers will each have just 10 minutes to share their stories, insights, and lessons learned. The topics don't have to be tech or Agile-focused—expect everything from hilarious personal anecdotes and quirky hobbies to curious experiments and career reflections.   

As the icing on the cake, the audience will be voting to crown the official Agile Yorkshire Christmas Champion of the Year! Will your talk take the crown? Who knows what mysterious, life-changing (or delightfully ridiculous) gift awaits the winner? You'll just have to step up—or show up—to find out. 

Tickets are open now—reserve your spot below to celebrate with us!

2026 December Meetup

Catherine.jpg

Catherine Bonner 


What You'll Learn:
✔️ Developing your speaking style and delivery
✔️ Using voice and body language to convey your message
✔️ Managing nerves and building confidence
✔️ Structuring and organising any presentation effectively

What You'll Gain:
✔️ Practical skills to become a more effective speaker
✔️ A safe and supportive environment to practice
✔️ Valuable feedback from experienced speakers
✔️ A growing network of fellow speakers and Agile professionals


Who Should Attend?
This workshop is open to all Agile Yorkshire members who have spoken at a past event or are interested in speaking at a future one. If you want to improve your public speaking, refine your presentation skills, and boost your confidence, this is the perfect opportunity.

Elevate Your Public Speaking Skills 

Effective communication is a vital skill in any professional setting, especially for those in Agile and tech communities. Whether you’re preparing for a presentation, leading meetings, or looking to build confidence in public speaking, Agile Yorkshire’s Speech Master Incubator is designed to help you refine your skills in a supportive and practical environment.


Exclusive Bonus for Agile Yorkshire Speakers
As part of our commitment to fostering growth within our community, past and future Agile Yorkshire speakers are eligible for a 100% DISCOUNT CODE on this workshop. Contact us for your discount code or let us book you in directly: info@agileyorkshire.org


2026 November Speech Master Incubator 

James Ridgway.jpg

James Ridgway

A CTO’s Perspective on What Has Actually Changed and What Hasn't Artificial intelligence is generating more noise than almost any technology in recent memory. Alongside the tools, the predictions and the breathless commentary comes a question many developers are quietly asking: is AI coming for my job? In this talk, James Ridgway, CTO at The Curve, takes a different approach to answering it.

 Rather than engaging with the hype, James steps back to ask a more useful question: how have the skills and resources available to software developers actually changed over time? Each era brought tools that promised to lower the barrier, and in some cases to replace developers entirely. None of them did. The talk traces that history decade by decade, examining what actually shifted in how software gets built: * The 1990s, when memorised knowledge and deep language fundamentals were the primary currency * The 2000s, when the internet and open source changed how developers find and apply information * The 2010s, when the explosion of frameworks, libraries and cloud infrastructure changed where developers add value Against that backdrop, James examines what AI coding tools like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT genuinely change and what they don't. Getting to an answer is easier.

 Understanding whether that answer is correct, secure, and appropriate for the context is not something that can be outsourced. The output is only ever as good as the judgement behind it. The conclusion is a straightforward one: AI won't replace developers. But a developer who knows how to use it well may have a significant advantage over one who doesn't.

Why AI Isn't Taking My Job (30 Min)

David Shapton.jpg

David Shapton

AI continues to accelerate exponentially. But exponential change is deeply unintuitive, which means that most, if not all strategic planning is behind the curve. So how do we cope? What adjustments do we have to make? This is a deep dive into the reality-distorting nature of AI and how to respond to it.

How To Plan Absolutely Anything in the Era of Ai and Exponential Change (60 Min)

As the days get colder and the evenings draw in, November is a great time to step away from the day-to-day and make space for new ideas. Agile Yorkshire is a community of practice built around shared learning, open conversation and professional growth. 
This month, we’re exploring how artificial intelligence is changing the way we work, lead and plan for the future. James Ridgway will look at what AI is really changing for developers, and what still depends on human judgement and experience. David Shapton will explore how we can plan and make decisions in a world of accelerating technological change. Join us for an evening of practical insight, fresh perspectives and ideas to take back into your own work.

2026 November Meetup

Amy Lynch.jpg

Amy Lynch

Ever felt like traditional career paths aren't quite right for you? Perhaps you're less interested in status and more motivated by impact? In this talk, Amy explores how diverse skills, interests and passions can unlock opportunities, fuel powerful social change and leave a lasting legacy.

Driving Impact in a Non-linear Life (30 Min Presentation)

Tom Hoyland.jpg

 Tom Hoyland

Bianca Spruit.jpg

Bianca Spruit

Clement Pickering.jpg

Clement Pickering

A panel discussion with experienced professionals from across the industry to share different perspectives, practical experience and ideas.
We’ll explore the challenges people and organisations are facing, what good leadership and professional development look like today, and how the industry can better support individuals, teams and careers as they continue to evolve.
It promises to be an engaging and insightful evening with plenty of opportunity to hear from, and learn from, a broad range of voices.

Panel Discussion 

This October, Agile Yorkshire is bringing together voices from across technology, leadership and professional development for a special evening of discussion, reflection and shared experience. With October also marking Ada Lovelace Day and a wider focus on women in technology, it is a fitting moment to celebrate different career paths, inclusive leadership and the people helping shape the future of our industry. Amy Lynch will open the evening with Driving Impact in a Non-linear Life, exploring how diverse skills, interests and experiences can create meaningful impact beyond traditional career paths. She will then join Tom Hoyland, Bianca Spruit and Clement Pickering for a panel discussion covering leadership, coaching, professionalism, inclusion and the changing expectations facing people working in technology. Together, the panel will share practical experiences and different perspectives on how individuals, teams and organisations can create healthier, more effective and more inclusive working environments. Join us for an evening of honest conversation, fresh ideas and practical insight from people helping to move the technology community forward.

2026 October Meetup

Clem_Pickering_1783439355078

Clem Pickering

Tech is having a moment of crisis. Once the poster child of innovation, potential and growth, and the place to be for an exciting career, the shine has definitely come off. Whether it’s tech billionaires driving mega profits at all costs, the threat of AI taking our jobs, and with stories of burnout still prevalent, it’s easy to think that things are only getting worse.

So what’s the answer? Rather than abandoning all hope this talk will explore how embracing our common humanity and focusing on compassionate leadership can bring real benefits, for individuals, teams and organisations. We’ll look at how compassion isn’t simply the individual attitudes and actions of a few but how it can be designed into the social architecture of teams and organisations. Whether you’re an individual contributor or senior leader, acting with and designing for compassion can help people and teams achieve the best outcomes. If you’d love to learn more about how to help work be more engaging and enjoyable for yourself and your teams then come along to find out how leading with compassion is vital.

The Tech Industry Is Suffering. Why Compassion Is the Answer (60 min)

Catherine Bonner

“But what if I’ve got nothing to say?”…how to choose a talk topic that actually lands Our Agile community thrives on people sharing their experience, ideas, and lessons learned—it’s what makes it so valuable. Whether you’re thinking about submitting to a conference, sharing at a community meetup, or even running a lunch and learn for your colleagues, choosing what to speak about can often feel harder than it should. When it comes to deciding to speak, it’s easy to either hold back, wondering if you’ve got anything worth saying, or to have plenty of ideas without being clear on what will really connect with an audience. In this practical session, we’ll explore how to find the overlap between what you know, what people need, and what will genuinely engage a room. We’ll look at how to spot the value in your own experience, shape rough ideas into something more focused, and sense-check whether a topic is likely to land with a specific audience. We'll share simple ways to generate and refine ideas and how to avoid common pitfalls, so you can build the confidence that your topic is worth sharing. There will be clear, usable approaches you can apply whether you’re preparing your first talk or looking to raise the standard of the ones you already give. You’ll leave with practical, straightforward tools to find and develop your ideas into a talk that people remember for all the right reasons.

“But what if I’ve got nothing to say?”…how to choose a talk topic that actually lands (30 min)

Every organisation is facing new challenges, from AI and changing customer expectations to evolving ways of working. This November, Agile Yorkshire brings together practitioners and leaders to explore practical ideas, honest experiences and fresh perspectives from people making change happen every day. Expect insightful talks, open conversations and the opportunity to connect with others who care about building better organisations. Whether you're new to Agile or have years of experience, you'll leave with ideas worth taking back to your team. Join us for another evening of learning, curiosity and community.

2026 September Meetup

Pete.png

Peter Horner

Drew Goodfellow.jpg

Drew Goodfellow

In many teams, the best ideas struggle to get heard. Meetings can be dominated by the loudest voices, while others hold back due to uncertainty, fear of judgement, hierarchy, or simply not having enough time to gather their thoughts. As a result, valuable perspectives are missed, collaboration suffers, and teams can become less innovative, less inclusive, and less effective. Drawing on the principles of Time to Think, attendees will experience a practical approach that helps people think independently, contribute without interruption and engage more effectively with others.

How Time To Think Can Unlock Safe Speaking & Free Thinking (60 min)

Royd_Brayshay_1784037750267

Royd Brayshay

AI is driving down the cost of writing software. Automated tests, generated code, AI-assisted refactoring and all the mechanics of building software are getting cheaper by the month. So where does the bottleneck move?
In this talk, Royd explores how the real constraint is shifting from production to learning: an organisation’s ability to sense what is changing, decide what to do about it, and adapt before the next disruption arrives. Most teams rely on a single ritual: the retrospective, and for this to carry the entire weight of continuous improvement. That is not enough.
Drawing on real delivery experience, Royd introduces the “jigsaw of continuous evolution”, a practical model that places retrospectives alongside other tactics. No single piece completes the picture. The organisations that thrive will be the ones that assemble the whole puzzle deliberately.
You will leave with:
A clear framework for thinking about organisational learning beyond the retro
Practical examples of flow analysis and compliance as code in regulated delivery
A sharper understanding of why external communities like Agile Yorkshire are a critical piece of the jigsaw

Beyond Retrospectives: Building Learning Organisations in the Age of AI (30 min)

The world of work continues to evolve, but the need to create organisations that can learn, adapt and deliver value has never been greater. This August , Agile Yorkshire welcomes speakers who will share practical experiences, new ideas and lessons from the real world. It's an evening designed to spark conversations, challenge assumptions and connect people passionate about improving the way we work. We hope you'll join us.
Whether you're new to Agile or an experienced practitioner, our meetups provide an opportunity to learn from industry experts, exchange ideas with peers and grow your professional network in a friendly, welcoming environment.

We look forward to welcoming both familiar and new faces for another evening of learning, discussion and networking. Refreshments and plenty of opportunities to connect with the Agile community will be available throughout the evening.

This August Meetup will be held at: 
**Venue: Lloyds Banking Group
Address: Lloyds Banking Group, 10th Floor, 12 Wellington Place, Leeds LS1 4AP.**







2026 August Meetup

Georgina_Shute_1779223039859

Georgina Shute

We're building faster than ever. AI has compressed timelines, shipping cycles have accelerated, and the pressure to do more with less is constant.
But something is being  lost in the process: the space to think.
Not thinking as a luxury. Thinking as the thing that aligns the what with the outcome 
understanding the problem before shipping the solution, questioning whether we're building the right thing, noticing when the team is burning out under the weight of perceived infinite capacity.
This talk explores what happens when thinking time collapses in fast-moving tech teams. 
What it costs. How it shows up  in context switching, in busy work, in ownership shifting to tools rather than people. And what it looks like to deliberately protect space to think, even when everything is screaming for more.
The takeaway isn't "slow down." It's "what are you doing with the time you're gaining?"

What Are You Doing With the Time Ai Is Saving You?

Dr_Toby_Sucharov_1780076702043

Dr Toby Sucharov

David.jpg

David Turner

When you’re connecting to thousands of banks across two continents — through third-party providers you don’t control — traditional QA thinking breaks down fast. At Yaspa, we’ve had to rethink what quality even means when most of your risk lives outside your own codebase. The answer we keep coming back to: in a service-oriented architecture, monitoring is your quality process.

In this talk, Toby Sucharov and David Turner explore how Yaspa has built an agile approach to QA and support where observability drives everything. They’ll cover the principle of commensurate effort, the challenge of testing in environments where sandboxes don’t tell the truth, and why owning your own metrics isn’t optional when you’re one of thousands of dependents on a shared platform. 

Monitoring As Part of Qa: Building Observable, Agile Engineering Processes

Agile Yorkshire returns this July for another evening of learning, collaboration, and community connection.
Join us as we bring together professionals from across the Yorkshire tech and agile community to explore new ideas, share experiences, and discuss the challenges shaping modern software delivery and ways of working.
Whether you’re an agile practitioner, delivery professional, engineer, product leader, or simply curious about improving how teams work together, this meetup offers valuable insights, practical takeaways, and opportunities to expand your network.
Expect engaging conversations, real-world experiences, and a welcoming environment where people can learn from one another and connect with others passionate about continuous improvement.
Come along, share ideas, and be part of the conversation. We look forward to seeing you there!

2026 July meetup

Mike_Burrows_1776788847988

Mike Burrows

Mike walks us through the Deliberately Adaptive Organisation, a new digital and AI-age rendition of a classic organisational model. Not so much a process framework or org structure as a timeless way of looking at your team or programme, expect actionable takeaways!
Beginning in the “here and now” of our everyday work, we’ll get a fresh (less process-centric) perspective on the fascinating relationship between improvement and self-organisation. Then, stepping back from the work to the strategising space, we’ll see just how constrained it is, and what that means for us all.

It’s the Things That Come in Varying Proportions That Stay the Same

Matthew Skelton.jpg

Matthew Skelton

Many organizations struggle to scale nimble ways of working as the organization or department grows, stifling innovation and delivery effectiveness. What worked at a small scale appears expensive at larger scales, where drive for deduplication and efficiency begins to couple together previously separate initiatives, slowing them down. Instead of a back and forth ‘flip-flop’ between organizing for scale and organizing for speed, organizations can get the best of both approaches by organizing for empowerment. Using “Economies of Empowerment” as the organizing principle drives clarity of mission, purposeful boundaries that work for flow, continuous adaptation to new technologies, and rapid innovation via cross-team learning & sharing. In this talk, Matthew Skelton - co-author of the groundbreaking book Team Topologies and CEO/CTO at Conflux - shares insights from helping hundreds of organizations to apply principles and practices from Team Topologies, Adapt Together™, and related approaches in order to scale nimble value delivery via empowered teams and “Economies of Empowerment”.

How To Use ‘economies of Empowerment’ For Both Speed and Scale

This June, Agile Yorkshire is back with an evening of insight, inspiration, and community connection.

We are delighted to welcome Matthew Skelton who will explore “Economies of Empowerment” and how organisations can scale effectively through empowered teams, improved flow, and clearer boundaries.
In a separate session, Mike will introduce the Deliberately Adaptive Organisation, a modern approach to structuring teams and programmes in a rapidly changing, AI shaped world.

Whether you are scaling delivery, leading transformation, or simply looking for new ideas, you will find practical takeaways you can apply straight away. Join us to learn, connect, and share ideas with a community passionate about improving how we work and deliver software.

2026 June Meetup

Dave_West_1761762315664

Dave West

The last twelve months can be described in one word. Uncertainty. The reality of 2026 is that change is not managed in quarters, months, or days, but in terms of hours. How many times have you checked your cell phone to see what is happening now? 

The ability to effectively deliver value in the face of uncertainty is why Scrum was created. The idea of balancing focused stability with spaces for radical change through transparency inspired the creation of Scrum. But the backdrop of uncertainty has undermined Scrum adoption as organizations pause investment. This has led to headlines such as Agile is dead. But future-looking organizations continue to invest in adopting Scrum and are looking to scale their agile practices. 

In this talk, Dave West, CEO of Scrum.org, discusses the future of Scrum, describing how it is applied amid market uncertainty and the rise of AI. He will discuss the future of teams and operating models, and what Scrum practitioners need to do to remain valuable and employable in this chaotic world!

The Future of Scrum - Where Agility Meets the Infinite Game

steve trapps.jpg

Steve Trapps - moderator

Dave West.jpg

Royd brayshay.jpg

lauren-ackroyd-at-agile-yorkshire.jpeg

Lauren Ackroyd

Georgina Shute.png

Following Dave West’s keynote on the future of Scrum, this interactive panel will explore how agile teams are responding to unprecedented uncertainty and the rapid rise of AI. Building on the themes of focused stability, radical change, and the “Agile is dead?” narrative, our panelists will share real-world experiences of:

- Applying Scrum when priorities change by the hour
- Balancing governance, transparency, and experimentation at scale
- Integrating AI into team workflows without losing human judgment 
- Evolving team structures and operating models to remain resilient
- Keeping Scrum practitioners valuable and employable as roles shift

The session will be highly conversational, with plenty of time for questions from the audience. Whether you’re a Scrum Master, Product Owner, developer, or leader, you’ll leave with practical ideas for adapting your own teams and practices to a chaotic, AI‑shaped future.

Panel Discussion

Agile Yorkshire returns this May with an evening of insight, inspiration, and community connection. We are delighted to welcome Dave West, CEO of Scrum.org, who will share perspectives on the future of work and how organisations can unlock the potential of people in an increasingly complex world.
This month, we’re trying something a little different. Instead of a second speaker taking the usual 30-minute slot, we’ll be hosting a panel discussion, bringing together experienced practitioners to explore the themes from Dave’s talk, share real-world insights, and answer your questions.
Join us for an evening of practical ideas, thoughtful discussion, and networking with professionals passionate about improving how we work and deliver software.


2026 May Meetup

Mark_Devis_1770623631395

Mark Devis

"Many leaders assume that adding more people to a team will simply increase output, yet in practice the dynamics are rarely that straightforward. This session explores why teams behave as complex systems, where interactions, habits and hidden constraints shape outcomes far more than headcount or planning. I will introduce simple concepts from complexity thinking, including a light touch overview of the Cynefin framework, to help attendees understand what is really happening in their environment without needing deep theory. We will look at how enabling constraints and small experiments can be used to influence behaviour and improve the conditions in which teams operate. I will share insights drawn from working with multiple teams at scale, showing how this perspective can shift conversations and uncover meaningful opportunities for change. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of their teams as systems and practical ideas on where to start with team improvement."

Teams As Complex Systems: How To Lead When Everything Interacts

Matthew_Place_1771601691516

Matthew Place

What does it really feel like to deliver change inside global banks compared to fast moving SMEs? 

This session shares a personal journey from leading large scale, regulated transformation at Lloyds and HSBC to now helping growing businesses streamline operations and adopt modern technology. It explores what breaks when enterprise delivery methods are applied in smaller organisations, and what actually works instead. Drawing on real delivery experience, we will look at the shift from ceremony driven agile to outcome focused transformation, and how to create genuine operational visibility without adding bureaucracy. 

Attendees will leave with a grounded view of how enterprise delivery thinking can be adapted in a lightweight, commercially focused way to help SMEs scale and make better decisions.

Enterprise Agile Lessons Applied To Growing Smes

Agile Yorkshire returns this April with an evening of practical insight and meaningful connection. This month we explore enterprise lessons applied to growing SMEs and how teams behave as complex systems when everything interacts.
Whether you are leading change, scaling a business, or working within complex teams, you will gain practical ideas grounded in real delivery experience. Expect thoughtful discussion, fresh perspective, and the chance to connect with like minded professionals from across the region.

2026 April Meetup

Maria_Mora_1763997521495

Maria Mora

Discover how as a visual artist you can use Agile frameworks to overcome creative block and ship your work, even if it is only a hobby. This talk explores time boxing creative sessions, running personal retrospectives on finished pieces, and creating a “backlog” of creative ideas. Learn how embracing iteration over perfection and building in regular feedback loops can transform your artistic practice from sporadic inspiration to consistent output.

The Artist’s Sprint: Applying Agile To Creative Projects

Andy_Burgin_1768511960982

Andy Burgin

It is 11th February 2014, a nervous Andy Burgin takes the stage at Agile Yorkshire and begins to share the current thinking from the burgeoning DevOps movement. Fast forward 12 years: DevOps is different — or is it?

During a recent clear-out at chez Burgin, an old, forgotten laptop was discovered discarded between a box of floppy disks and a collection of old Computer Shopper magazines. While the laptop was no longer functional, a painstaking data recovery process rescued the files on its hard drive via a collection of old adaptors and half-working wires. Among the files saved from the Wakefield Council recycling centre was a copy of the very PowerPoint deck presented at that meetup 12 years earlier.

But what was in this digital "time capsule"? What happened to DevOps? What did it become? Is it now a tool, a job title, or did something "bad" happen to it? Are the thoughts shared over a decade ago still relevant today?

Join Andy as he looks at how we travelled from DevOps to Cloud, SRE, Platform Engineering, Team Topologies, Developer Experience, and VibeOps - Most importantly, we'll explore what the future of DevOps can learn from its past.

Devops 2014 Revisited - a Dozen Years of Noise and Confusion

Join us this March as the Agile Yorkshire community comes together for another evening of insight inspiration and connection. Our monthly meetups bring together professionals from across the region who are passionate about agile ways of working modern delivery and continuous improvement.
Whether you are experienced in agile or just getting started you will find a welcoming space to learn share ideas and connect with like minded people. Expect engaging talks practical takeaways and open discussion in a relaxed setting.

2026 March Meetup

Dave_Westgarth_1764421239059

Dave Westgarth


What if you could build at the speed you think?
Imagine skipping the backlogs, bypassing handovers and watching your latest product ideas turn into working prototypes in just a few minutes. With a little bit of vibe coding knowledge and some of the latest and greatest AI development tools we're now able to combine instinct, AI, and Lean UX to supercharge discovery and embed lightning fast feedback loops into our ways of working.
In this session, we crack open the new world of instinct-driven, AI-powered prototyping. You’ll see how real teams are using tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, Figma AI, Lovable, Replit & Base 44 to leap from sketch to live MVP in less than an hour, no more waiting for design or dev tickets to get your ideas off the ground.

But speed is only half the story. Without Lean UX discipline, AI-powered prototyping risks creating beautiful illusions instead of validated value. That’s why we’ll discuss not just the magic tricks but also the guardrails required. How to steer your team away from AI noise and towards genuine learning.
You'll leave equipped to run your own AI-powered discovery iterations, with the tooling and approaches to move fast and the discipline to learn what matters.

Vibe Ux

Kat_Obring_1766142888964

Kat Obring


AI tools are being pitched to Agile teams at speed, often backed by polished demos and big promises. But demos rarely reflect real workflows or real risks, leaving teams unsure whether a tool is actually worth the investment.

In this interactive 60-minute session, you’ll learn how to run a lightweight, evidence-based evaluation of an AI tool before you buy it. We’ll focus on fast, practical techniques for defining what “useful” means in your context, spotting risks early, and gathering just enough evidence to make a confident decision.

You’ll leave with a simple evaluation approach you can apply immediately, without long pilots or heavy process.

Evaluating Ai Tools Without a Six-month Pilot

Join us for an evening filled with insightful discussions and the chance to connect with fellow professionals in the agile community. Our featured speakers will share valuable strategies and experiences relevant to agile methodologies. This event promises a welcoming environment where you can expand your knowledge, network, and contribute to continuous improvement in software delivery. Don't miss the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for agile practices. We look forward to welcoming you!

2026 February Meetup

Sarah_Baker_1763410628973

Sarah Baker

Should you suspect you have imposter syndrome, it’s likely because you do. I’ll review methods for coping with this, accompanied by a selection of my own stories that confirm that just like Strictly Come Dancing: it’s the journey that’s inspirational not the end destination.

Rewriting the Script: Your Story Beyond Imposter Syndrome

Tony_Richards_1763409045538

Tony Richards

Have you noticed how great teams that come up with brilliant ideas for improvement often struggle to put them into practice?
This session explore why we sometimes work against ideas that we all agree are in our best interest and what we can do to overcome this trap.

Immunity To Change

A new year brings new ideas, fresh perspectives, and renewed energy and what better way to kick off 2026 than with the Agile Yorkshire community?
Join us at our January meetup for an inspiring evening of learning, connection, and practical insights you can take straight back to your teams. Whether you’re a seasoned delivery professional, an agile practitioner, a tech leader, or simply curious about improving how software gets built, you’ll find a warm welcome and plenty to spark your thinking.



2026 January Meetup

#### Join Us for the Atlassian Leeds Festive Get-Together!

Get ready to celebrate! We’re excited to invite you to our Atlassian Leeds Festive Get-Together on 10th December from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM at the Brewery Tap in Leeds. This special event is all about connection, collaboration, and celebration as we wrap up the year together.

#### Why Attend?
- Shape the Future: Join us for insightful discussions on what’s next for the Atlassian Leeds Chapter. Your ideas and contributions are invaluable as we chart our path forward.
- Celebrate Our Community: Let's recognise the fantastic growth and collaboration within our community. Reflect on the impact of our past gatherings and discover the value of participation moving forward.
- Networking Opportunities: This is a perfect chance to connect with local professionals, share insights, and build lasting relationships. Expand your network while enjoying the festive atmosphere!
- Festive Fun: Indulge in festive treats and drinks as we celebrate the successes of the year. Expect a lively atmosphere filled with good cheer!
   

#### Highlights from Our Past Events:
- Launch Meetup: Our inaugural gathering welcomed over a great number of attendees and set the stage for our community's goals.
- Insights and Innovations: Expert speakers showcased the latest features in Jira and Service Management.
- Collaborative Growth: Engaging presentations from industry leaders offered valuable tips on using Confluence as a centralised knowledge hub.
   
[CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR FREE TICKET: ](https://ace.atlassian.com/events/details/atlassian-leeds-presents-atlassian-leeds-festive-get-together/)

#### Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, 10th December
Time: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Brewery Tap, Leeds, LS1 5DL

We look forward to seeing you!

Atlassian Leeds Festive Get-Together!

Yann_Golanski_1754035404984

Sadly, this is not even close to Pacific Rim's Jeagers. But, they are massive, they work underwater, and there's a whole crew piloting them! 

Giant Underwater Robots…

Maria_Mora_1760454166779

For those who are familiar with climbing, I am a V2 Boulder and V4+ Top Rope… which means that I can use the stairs if the lift is out of service. So when a few months ago I moved to Sheffield, I decided to change my strategy and apply my agile project management skills to the sport itself. And I was not so wrong about it… actually, I am resolving the problems in small iterations getting better at it every time. I even belayed my partner in a couple of sessions (meaning: managing the rope to ensure he doesn’t fall) and he is still alive! Not a bad success criteria.

Climbing As An “agile” Practice

Rebecca_Dainton_1762200009188

Rebecca Dainton

“Why Dyslexics make Aewsome Laederz” is a fast, funny, and uplifting look at how the so-called ‘challenges’ of dyslexia are actually superpowers in leadership. In just 10 minutes, I’ll share why thinking differently fuels creativity, resilience, and big-picture thinking — and why the world needs more leaders with dyslexic superpowers. Expect some laughs, a few hard truths, and plenty of inspiration

Why Dyslexics Make Aewsome Laederz!

Bina_Champaneria_1759778522060

Bina Champaneria

A fast-paced look at how Lamborghini's bold design mirrors agile principles of iteration, emotion and dramatic delivery.

Agile in the Fast Lane: Designing Lamborghinis With Speed and Style

Marian_Bastiurea_1762200118285

Marian Bastiurea

Get ready for a buzz-worthy ride! I’ll take you inside the hive and show you what beekeeping really means—beyond the sweet Instagram photos. From feeding the bees and handling their little “mood swings” to facing the occasional sting, I’ll share the main activities and challenges of life in an apiary. And of course, we’ll talk about how to spot, harvest, and keep the best honey—because not all that glitters is golden (honey).

From Facebook To Real Hives: the Real Life of Bees

Lauren_Ackroyd_1760708041717

In September last year, I was made redundant from a job I loved. One year on, I found myself reflecting on a year in my career that started with loss but ended with growth, courage, and unexpected joy. In this festive lightning talk, I’ll share how redundancy became the catalyst for a new chapter in consultancy, how I navigated the emotional aftermath, and why sometimes the best gifts come wrapped in uncertainty. If you’re facing career change this season, this story might be the spark of hope you need.

Redundancy, Resilience, and a Remarkable Year

Chris_McLaughlin_1760474373629

Chris McLaughlin

This talk is based on Simon Sinek’s "Start With Why" book, and the Golden Circle of Why, How and What. 
Based on the examples of the book this talk will discuss how leading with "Why" in a similar way at a team level builds a good team culture with authenticity and integrity at the heart.
Concluding that preserving the Scrum Master spirit even in hybrid roles helps ensure we are leading with "Why" and by looking after our team, this will empower the team to help look after the project commitments.

Leading With Why - Inspiring Teams By Giving Them Purpose and Autonomy

Catherine_Wicks_1758641610853

Catherine Wicks

Every Christmas Eve, Santa pulls off the ultimate global delivery: one night, millions of customers, and a deadline that absolutely cannot slip. But what if we looked at his workshop through an Agile lens?
In this lightning talk, Catherine brings a festive twist to the familiar world of delivery, using Santa’s operation as a playful case study. Expect humour, seasonal cheer, and a few surprising reminders about what makes Agile thrive at its best.
Because if the North Pole can deliver on time every year, what’s stopping the rest of us?

What Santa Can Teach Us About Agile Delivery

There is a chill in the air, the Leeds Christmas Market is twinkling in Millennium Square, and delivery vans are racing to keep up with the Christmas rush. It can only mean one thing – the Agile Yorkshire Christmas Lightning Talks are back.
Join us for a fast-paced evening of festive fun where eight speakers will each have just ten minutes to share their stories, insights and laughs. From inspiring reflections and curious experiments to lessons learned the hard way, this is your chance to celebrate another year of learning, growth and great company.
Expect plenty of good cheer, a few surprises, mince pies, and maybe even a touch of Christmas mischief. The audience will crown the overall winner, so bring your energy, your festive jumper, and your best “ho-ho-ho”.
Come along, reconnect with friends old and new, and help us wrap up the year in true Agile Yorkshire style – with community, curiosity and a big dose of Christmas spirit.

2025 December Meetup

1715943504530 Catherinne Bonner.jpg

Speech Master Incubator

Effective communication is a cornerstone of professional success, particularly within Agile and tech communities. Whether you’re delivering a presentation, leading a sprint review, or simply looking to build your confidence in public speaking, Agile Yorkshire’s Speech Master Incubator offers a hands-on way to strengthen your communication skills in a supportive and practical setting.

**What You'll Learn:**
✔️ Developing your speaking style and delivery
✔️ Using voice and body language to convey your message
✔️ Managing nerves and building confidence
✔️ Structuring and organising any presentation effectively

**What You'll Gain:**
✔️ Practical skills to become a more effective speaker
✔️ A safe and supportive environment to practice
✔️ Valuable feedback from experienced speakers
✔️ A growing network of fellow speakers and Agile professionals

**Who Should Attend?**
This workshop is open to all Agile Yorkshire members who have spoken at a past event or are interested in speaking at a future one. If you want to improve your public speaking, refine your presentation skills, and boost your confidence, this is the perfect opportunity.

**Exclusive Bonus for Agile Yorkshire Speakers**
As part of our commitment to fostering growth within our community, past and future Agile Yorkshire speakers are eligible for a 100% DISCOUNT CODE on this workshop. Contact us for your discount code or let us book you in directly: info@agileyorkshire.org


2025 November Speech Master Incubator

Stephanie_Aniche_1754847402636

Stephanie Aniche

An engaging session looking at how AI is reshaping product development, from smarter user insights and decision-making, to ethical considerations and the role of product leadership in an AI-driven world.

The Future of Product With Ai: From Backlogs To Predictions

As the days grow colder and shorter, warm up your evening with the Agile Yorkshire community of practice at our November meetup. We are a friendly gathering of IT professionals and agile practitioners, meeting every month since 2007 to share knowledge, exchange experiences, and learn from highly experienced speakers. This month’s session is all about practical insights you can take back and implement in your own workplace. Come along for engaging talks, lively discussions, and networking with peers who are passionate about no-nonsense software delivery.

Agile

Yorkshire

About the Agile Yorkshire Community

The Organisers

Royd Brayshay

Past Speakers

Alina Eden Cornea

Mr Daniel Woolfson

Frances Buontempo

Owen Gleadall

Reza Amini

Pete Horner

Agile

Yorkshire

Services

Website

Privacy

Agile

Yorkshire

About the Agile Yorkshire Community

The Organisers

Royd Brayshay

Past Speakers

Alina Eden Cornea

Mr Daniel Woolfson

Frances Buontempo

Owen Gleadall

Reza Amini

Pete Horner

Our Sponsors

Agile

Yorkshire

Services

Website

Privacy