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

Yann Golanski

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

Lauren Ackroyd

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

Catherine Bonner

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

David_Shapton_1756397207990

David Shapton

AI is at best only partially understood, even by the researchers and developers who work with it. Most of the profound breakthroughs we've seen so far have been "emergent". In other words, they've taken people by surprise. The ability to have conversations,  the ability to write code, and even the ability to seem "intelligent". What's the most misunderstood thing about AI? The speed at which it is growing. It's exponential. It's possibly even hyper-exponential. Whatever you call it, the world in just a few years will have been transformed. How do you plan for this rate of change, and how do you use it to your advantage? This is your intuitive guide to the biggest technical revolution ever.

If You're Going To Plan For Anything, You'd Better Plan For Ai

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.

2025 November Meetup

Stuart_Grimshaw_1754053848328

Stuart Grimshaw

Most agile transformations focus on the things that happen around development, but skip over what being agile means for a developer day to day. What working practices should they adopt and what changes to their mindset do they need to make in order to be succesful?

What Does Agile Actually Mean For Developers

Jon_Fulton_1758891736454

Jon Fulton

Our industry has discussed Psychological Safety for years, especially since Google's Project Aristotle identified it as the number one factor in creating successful teams.
Our research shows that it’s widely misunderstood. Many equate it to comfort or happiness, without embracing the challenge of collaborating and learning to achieve high performance.
Join us to explore psychological safety through real world experiences and practical exercises. We will build a shared understanding to apply in your own organisations, and tackle challenges in the team, and beyond, in the wider organisation where teams, groups and stakeholders interact.

Psyc Safety. Explore What It Is, and Isn’t. With Liberating Structures

Join us this October for the next Agile Yorkshire gathering, a monthly meetup for the region’s tech and agile community. Expect an evening of insightful talks, practical learning and open discussion with professionals who are passionate about continuous improvement and modern delivery practices. Whether you are highly experienced or just starting out in agile, you will find inspiration, shared experiences and new connections. Come along and be part of Yorkshire’s thriving agile movement.

2025 October Meetup

Jennifer_Poole_1751891393829

Jennifer Poole

I will share how working across industries has helped me build high performing teams and improve delivery without needing to know code. Through mindset shifts, better workflows and collaboration, I will show practical ways to unlock potential through people, process and tools you can apply, no technical background required

Sorry, I'm Not Technical 

Mark_Stringer_1744789323958

Mark Stringer

"Point of view is worth 80 IQ points." This is a quote from software pioneer Alan Kay.
If we can look at our projects in the right way, we can be much smarter in our thinking about them. This can be the difference between thinking at a near-genius level or behaving like an idiot.
In this talk, I explore some of the most helpful ways of seeing project management—and then some of the most "dumb" ways of seeing projects. Why are we so tempted to view projects in ways that make them seem impossible and undeliverable? I explain why our natural way of thinking tends to make delivering projects more difficult than it needs to be. And I show how we can change our thinking so that even the most impossible-looking projects have the best chance of success.

Delivering the Impossible - Successful Ways of Seeing Project Management

Join us this September for an evening of warm community spirit, expert speakers, and actionable agile insights.
Whether you're navigating team challenges or exploring new approaches, you'll gain valuable strategies and perspectives.
Take a moment to step away from the day-to-day and invest in learning, reflection, and professional growth.
Wrap up, step out, and make this September meetup your most impactful one yet.
Agile Yorkshire continues to unite practitioners from across the region to share knowledge and elevate delivery standards.
Each session offers meaningful discussion, practical takeaways, and the chance to hear from respected voices in the industry.
We look forward to welcoming you for another engaging and insightful evening.

2025 September Meetup

Amy_Kouppas_1748985073525

Amy Kouppas

Scrum Masters, the servant leaders of the team, the impediment remover, the coach, mentor, change agent…the one you can trust to be your cheerleader, spread positivity and efficiency! 
But wait, I feel a change, do you? Are Scrum Masters as happy and utilised as they once were or are they feeling lost and forgotten in the ever changing world of Agile and new tools. 
The time of coaching, mentoring, being the change agent not only in your team but department, company and communities seems to be getting further away, while delivery and being the one who can ‘sort things out’ if the team needs seems to be taking over. The core skills and fun with purpose (my motto!) seems to be a distant memory. 
I want to empower my fellow Scrum Masters to feel inspired once more, and drive the changes we need to create empowered teams and stronger organisations.  


The Lonely World of a Scrum Master

Bianca_Spruit_1740654993240

Bianca Spruit

Coaching isn’t just for leaders—it’s a powerful tool for anyone looking to improve communication, collaboration, and problem-solving in the workplace. If you're looking to influence and support others, this interactive workshop will help you apply coaching techniques to real-world challenges.

Through hands-on exercises, discussion, and live problem-solving, we’ll explore:
✔ How coaching skills can improve teamwork, feedback, and decision-making
✔ Practical techniques to empower others and unlock potential
✔ Ways to navigate leadership challenges—whether you're in a formal leadership role or not
✔ Strategies for creating a culture of trust, accountability, and innovation

We’ll be working with real leadership challenges that you and others in the room are facing, so you’ll leave with practical solutions and coaching techniques you can apply immediately.
Join us to discover how coaching can help you influence, support, and lead—no matter your job title!

Coaching For Transformational Leadership

Join us this August as the Agile Yorkshire community, a long standing community of practice, comes together for another evening of insight, inspiration, and connection. Whether you're deeply embedded in agile ways of working or just beginning to explore new approaches, our monthly meetups offer a welcoming space to learn, share, and grow.
Agile Yorkshire is committed to fostering an environment where professionals can exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and support one another in navigating real world delivery challenges. It’s a place to stay curious, build lasting relationships, and strengthen the region’s agile capability together.
Come along, get involved, and be part of Yorkshire’s thriving agile community. We can’t wait to see you there!

2025 August Meetup

Simon_Cookson_1749223339818

Simon Cookson

I used to lie to my colleagues and clients at work, it was a regular thing. But, it created all sorts of problems. I justified my behaviour to myself by saying - I was just stretching the truth, holding things back or putting a positive spin on things. But I was lying.

“Simon, how is that board update coming along?”
My lie: “really well thanks I’ll share it shortly”
The truth - I hadn't started it.

In this talk I’ll share the reasons why I lied as a way to bring to life why we see challenging behaviour at work. 
Once we understand what’s really driving the behaviour we see in ourselves and others, we can then use this to build different coping strategies. I’ll share the psychological needs that create challenging behaviours and together we’ll design workplace strategies to meet those needs. 


Why I lied to people at work

Christina_Lovelock_1749055435328

Christina Lovelock

Whether you feel stuck in a rut or just want to take stock, we can all learn and develop from making time to reflect. In this session we will discuss common tech career choices and challenges, and discover simple yet powerful techniques to help achieve career clarity.
This session is suitable for both those who are just starting out and experienced tech professionals looking to advance in their careers. We will look at relevant models and share meaningful discussion points which will help you make informed decisions and understand your career options.

Key Takeaways:
- Achieving career clarity
- Applying a job crafting approach
- Becoming more motivated in your current role.



Navigating Your Tech Career

We are proud to announce the second installment of Agile Yorkshire on Tour in collaboration with BCS South Yorkshire. This exciting event will once again take place at Sheffield Hallam University, following the fantastic success of our first tour edition. It’s a wonderful opportunity to continue building connections across the wider Yorkshire agile community. Our partnership with BCS allows us to bring even more value to attendees through shared expertise and collaboration. As always, we aim to create a welcoming space for learning, sharing, and growing together. Join us for another inspiring evening of agile insights and community spirit!

2025 July Sheffield Meetup

Steve_Trapps_1747842740721

Steve Trapps

Tired of hearing that "Scrum doesn't work"? 
Maybe it’s not Scrum that's failing - it’s your interpretation of it  - Maybe YOU want it to fail so YOU can say it is not your fault you're not delivering value.
In this talk, we’ll strip Scrum back to its core: Artefacts, Commitments, Accountabilities, Events, and Values. With a sharp but constructive lens, we’ll expose where common misapplications derail delivery and why misunderstood roles, ineffectual "ceremonies", point farming, and half-baked artefacts create chaos - not value. 
If your team treats Scrum like a to-do list with meetings, this session is for you. It’s time to stop blaming the framework and start using it as intended. It is time to be Professional.
Leave your assumptions at the door—this talk will challenge you to reassess, re-learn, and realign with the true intent of Scrum.

Scrum Isn’t Broken - Your Understanding Is

James_Pels_1747843954354

James Pels

Most roadmaps focus on features — some nod to architecture — but few connect what teams build, how systems evolve, and what the organisation actually needs. This session explores how to create a shared roadmap that aligns product direction, technical planning, and management intent — helping everyone stay focused on meaningful outcomes.

We’ll look at ways to:
- Build a unified view across product, tech and operational priorities
- Represent architecture without overwhelming the roadmap
- Support better conversations across teams and leadership
- Balance structure with flexibility as priorities shift

This session is relevant for practitioners, architects, and leaders alike — offering tools, insights, and ideas you can take straight back to your team.

Roadmaps: Joining the Dots Between Product, Architecture and Management

Agile Yorkshire returns this July with another inspiring evening of agile insights, collaboration, and community. Our speakers this month are seasoned professionals sharing practical experiences that move beyond theory to real-world delivery. Whether you’re new to agile or an experienced practitioner, there’s something here to challenge and inspire. This is your chance to engage with the professional Agile Yorkshire Community of Practice that’s elevating agile thinking across the region. Let’s learn, connect, and grow together through shared experience and expertise.

2025 July Meetup

Seun_Alabi_1743005265271

Seun Alabi

It is often debated whether a PO should have deep technical expertise, or just have a strong business focus? The Product Owner role was designed to bridge the gap between stakeholders and development teams, ensuring alignment and delivering value. Yet, the question remains: does technical knowledge enhance or hinder that mission? It is critical to explore both approaches, using real scenarios, and examine how to strike the right balance. We won’t settle for simplistic answers but challenge assumptions and explore what truly makes a Product Owner effective. Because in the end, it’s not just about being technical or not it’s about delivering the right product in the most effective way.

Technical Product Owner: To Be or Not To Be!

Sorrel_Harriet_1743015356178

Sorrel Harriet

For the agile technologist and continuous learner, constant and rapid consumption of knowledge can be something of an occupational hazard! We’re frequently being sold new tools, methodologies and frameworks on the basis of science, yet we often lack the time, skills or resources to interrogate them. This effectively forces us to default to the same shaky modes of thinking we’re seeking to avoid, where poor judgement can have poor consequences for us, our teams, and the products we create.

In this thought-provoking interactive talk, I’ll be asking…
How can we judge the integrity of knowledge content when we are not the subject matter experts?
How can we avoid being swept along by the latest 'evidence based' tools, techniques and frameworks?

As we look for answers to these questions, we’ll engage and sharpen one of the most valuable capabilities in the continuous learner’s toolbox: critical thinking. 

Thinking Slow, Fast: Critical Thinking in the Age of Agility

Agile Yorkshire is a friendly, welcoming community of professionals passionate about agile ways of working, software delivery, and continuous improvement. We bring together practitioners from across Yorkshire’s tech and digital sectors to share knowledge, spark ideas, and build lasting connections. Our monthly meetups feature inspiring talks, practical insights, and lively discussions designed to support everyone from agile newcomers to experienced leaders.

Join us this June for another engaging evening of learning and networking in the heart of Leeds. Expect thought-provoking presentations, real-world experiences, and a relaxed atmosphere where you can connect with like-minded peers. Whether you're looking to grow your skills, find fresh perspectives, or simply meet others in the agile space, you’ll be warmly welcomed. We’d be delighted to see you there!







2025 June Meetup

Matthew_Carr_1742923955599

Matthew Carr

Why do some tech teams feel energised and productive, while others feel trapped in an endless cycle of chaos?   
I’ll share real-world stories and how I used practical strategies for cleaning up processes, energising teams, and consistently delivering real value, all by focusing on creating an environment where people can do their best work.  

Building a Culture Where Technology Teams Thrive (and Actually Deliver)

Mark_Moreau_1740747232274

Mark Moreau

Product Managers are often quite poor at strategy. People also complain quite a lot about Product Managers being poor at strategy. Bizarrely, product strategy should be the one thing every Product Manager excels at. Are we making this more complicated than it really is? 

Strategy Is Hard. But Easier Than You Think. 

Spring into agile with us this May as Agile Yorkshire brings together the region’s vibrant tech and delivery community for another evening of insight, inspiration, and connection. Whether you're deeply embedded in agile ways of working or just beginning to explore new approaches, our monthly meetups are a welcoming space to learn, share, and grow.
Expect thought-provoking talks from experienced speakers, practical takeaways to enhance your teams and projects, and the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals over refreshments in our relaxed city centre venue.
Come along, get inspired, and be part of Yorkshire’s thriving agile community. We can’t wait to see you there!

2025 May Meetup

catherine-bonner-at-agile-yorkshire.jpeg

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.

Speech Master Incubator – 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

Closed-Speech Master Incubator

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Amardeep Sirha

Balancing project management in an agile environment requires flexibility, collaboration, and a focus on iterative progress. Traditional project management principles must be adapted to agile frameworks like scrum or kanban, emphasizing continuous feedback, adaptability, and stakeholder involvement. Key strategies include clear communication, prioritising tasks based on value, empowering self-organising teams, and using agile tools to track progress. The goal is to maintain a balance between structure and flexibility while ensuring timely delivery of high-quality work.

How To Balance Project Management in An Agile Environment

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Steve Martin

Imagine a world where management are purposeful, decisions happen quickly, and everyone is aligned. No more endless calls or reports. Teams and leaders work in sync, with real-time visibility of priorities and progress. Obeya makes this possible. It replaces outdated communication methods with a dynamic, transparent approach. Companies like ING and Tesco have transformed their operations, improving collaboration, reducing reporting, and creating a single source of truth for decision-making. In my talk, we’ll explore why traditional communication is failing and how Obeya provides a more effective solution. An interactive workshop will give the audience hands-on experience in how Obeya can streamline communication, improve visibility, and drive smarter decisions. I'll show how to implement Obeya, starting small before scaling, and participants will leave, fully energised with a practical, tangible solution to a challenge that’s been frustrating everyone for far too long.

Obeya Unleashed: the Next Evolutionary Agile Step

Join us for another inspiring Agile Yorkshire gathering as we bring together the community for an evening of learning, discussion, and collaboration. Whether you're a seasoned agile practitioner or just starting your journey, this is the perfect opportunity to exchange ideas, gain fresh perspectives, and connect with like-minded professionals. Expect engaging conversations, real-world insights, and plenty of opportunities to expand your agile network. Come along, be part of the discussion, and take away valuable knowledge to apply to your teams and projects. We look forward to seeing you there!

2025 April Meetup

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Rohit Ratan Mani

Our presentation details our strategy for assisting clients in enhancing business agility within their clinical operations.
We will illustrate our clients' experiences and the significant impact we have had in promoting business agility, improving efficiency, expediting trials, achieving operational excellence and building internal capabilities to empower clients to continue their agility journey independently.

Unleashing Business Agility in Pharma Companies

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Great ideas deserve to be heard. But if we can't communicate them, we'll never get traction. Whether you’re presenting at a tech conference, leading a team meeting, or explaining complex ideas to non-technical audiences, how you communicate matters. In this practical and engaging talk, Catherine Bonner will equip you with the essential tools to speak with confidence, clarity, and impact. No matter if you're preparing for your first talk or refining your stage presence, you'll walk away with a stronger, more versatile public speaking toolkit.

Build and Refine Your Public Speaking Toolkit

Join us for an exciting milestone event as Agile Yorkshire ventures beyond Leeds for the first time! We're partnering with the Sheffield chapter of the British Computer Society for a special evening of agile insights and community building.
Our journey to Sheffield marks a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow agile practitioners across Yorkshire. We're particularly grateful to Eva Barabas from the BCS Sheffield chapter, whose work behind the scenes has made this collaboration possible.
The evening features two exceptional speakers. We're delighted to welcome Rohit Ratan Mani, who brings his wealth of experience as a certified coach and trainer to share his agile experiences within the pharma sector. Rohit has experience, practical guidelines and valuable lessons learned from implementing agile practices in heavily regulated environments.
Joining Rohit is our very own Catherine Bonner, Agile Yorkshire's speaking coach extraordinaire. Catherine will offer an engaging preview of our popular speaker workshop – a free resource we proudly provide to all Agile Yorkshire speakers, past and future, as part of our commitment to nurturing talent within our community.
Don't miss this chance to be part of Agile Yorkshire's expanding footprint and connect with like-minded professionals in Sheffield. Come along to share experiences, learn from industry experts, and be part of our agile community!

2025 March Sheffield Meetup

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Scrum is a core of applied Agile, first introduced in 1990. It promises much in terms of delivery of good software with transparency, inspection, and adaptation — twice the work in half the time. Failure to meet those goals is generally laid down at the feet of “you're doing it wrong”, sometimes even with good reasons. However, is scrum actually good at helping teams deliver good software? What are the bad and ugly things lurking under the shadow of scrum's promises? It is important to explore these criticisms to understand where Scrum might fall short and how it can be improved. Introspection matters.

Scrum Introspection: What Lies in the Shadows

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Lewis Bellwood

Flow Metrics and Forecasting are hot topics in Agile but often people become bogged down in the charts and can be put off by the maths and statistics behind them. How many times have you showed your multicoloured super graph to a team and they have no idea what it actually means? I aim to (re)introduce you to these topics in a way that anyone can digest, without presenting endless Jira Search Queries and Burn Down chats.

Disrupting the Flow

Spring into agility with Agile Yorkshire’s March 2025 meetup! This session is all about new ideas, fresh perspectives, and practical insights to help you refine your agile approach and tackle challenges with confidence.
Join us for an evening of engaging discussions, expert talks, and networking opportunities with professionals who are passionate about continuous improvement. Whether you're looking to level up your skills, exchange experiences, or simply connect with the local agile community, this event is for you!

2025 March Meetup

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Clement Pickering

Imagine a tech team that makes few mistakes and quietly gets on with its work. Sounds great right? As a leader it’s one less headache perhaps, one less thing to need to worry about. But what if the lack of noise wasn’t actually a good sign? What if the lack of mistakes was actually because people were reluctant, or even afraid, to admit them? And the silence was a signal of people holding back, from asking questions, raising concerns or suggesting new ideas? Suddenly the picture is less rosy - we’re storing up the risk of more significant issues down the line, and worse, potentially wasting the potential for genuine high performance. In this talk we’ll explore the concept of psychological safety and how it’s the key underpinning for all high performing tech teams.

Silence Isn’t Golden: Psychological Safety and High Performing Teams

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Katja Obring

Every Agile team Katja has worked with has, at one point or another, felt held back by their quality assurance process, and often rightly so. Too many quality assurance professionals have been trained to be gatekeepers, not enablers of safe releases.
In this talk, Katja will explain how modern quality assurance professionals can shift from being bottlenecks to becoming quality coaches, finally breaking down silos and building a stronger engineering culture. She will present practical strategies for implementing this shift, such as pair testing, collaborative code reviews, and quality-focused workshops that will improve the entire team’s testing capabilities.

From Quality Gatekeeper to Quality Coach: Empowering Agile Teams for Better Releases

The February 2025 Agile Yorkshire meetup offers an opportunity to explore innovative ideas and gain insights from expert speakers. The event will focus on practical strategies and real-world applications to improve agile practices, team collaboration, and overall effectiveness.
This session is ideal for professionals seeking to enhance their skills, share knowledge, and connect with others in the agile community. Secure your place today to engage with like-minded individuals and advance your agile journey.

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About the Agile Yorkshire Community

The Organisers

Royd Brayshay

Past Speakers

Mark Devis

Matthew Place

Maria Mora

Andy Burgin

Dave Westgarth

Kat Obring

Agile

Yorkshire

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Agile

Yorkshire

About the Agile Yorkshire Community

The Organisers

Royd Brayshay

Past Speakers

Mark Devis

Matthew Place

Maria Mora

Andy Burgin

Dave Westgarth

Kat Obring

Our Sponsors

Agile

Yorkshire

Services

Website

Privacy