Who we are and what we do

Digital Leaders is a shared professional online space and face-to-face programme, for leaders across all sectors promoting effective, long-term digital transformation.

It is the independent forum where public, private and third sector leaders explore new ideas and showcase the very best digital solutions.

In the UK we are the premier digital leadership platform for expert opinion and networking for a growing cross-sector community of over 100,000 leaders.

Our Mission

We know that government and businesses want to help each other use digital more effectively.  We create environments where great conversations take place to make this happen. 

We believe for the UK to succeed it requires leaders with strong digital understanding and a digitally enabled workforce. This enables transformed public services and a stronger, better society. 

That’s why, in our trusted space, individuals become part of a community navigating the challenges and opportunities of how digital can:

• Strengthen leadership
• Grow skills and talent
• Transform public services
• Create a better society

Our events range from major summits, bringing together thought leaders with engaged decision makers, to smaller round tables where peers share their best ideas. 

We will challenge leaders to rethink how they’re doing things, learn how to innovate and lead change.

How we do it:

• A programme of Events
• Focusing on key Digital Topics
• Providing Knowledge to leaders
• Awards and highlighting best practice

Our Story – From 2011 to now…

Our story began in the basement of a government building in Victoria Street working to promote the “Digital by default “ agenda to transform the UK’s public services set up in Government with the Cabinet Minister Francis Maude, the UK Digital Champion at that time, Martha Lane-Fox and the new hea dof the recently created Government Digital Service, Mike Bracken. 

Since then we’ve been on a twelve year 12 journey and have spread our activities to cover the whole of the UK (since 2013) and across the public, private and non-profit sectors creating: 

2011 – Digital Leaders created

2011 – Taking over the National Digital Conference

2013 – DL Local created across 7 regions 

2017 – A national week of Digital Transformation, DLWeek

2018 – Public Sector Innovation Conference started

2019 – Take over of Tech for good Impact Awards  

2020 – Public Sector Innovation Week started

2023 – AI tool, Insights Report

Our leadership and governance

How are we governed?

The emerging programme and focus of our work is guided by our Advisory Board of cross-sector experts in digital transformation

How are we funded?

In order to maintain a high quality programme of inclusive free at the point of use programme of Conferences, Salons and webinars, we have funding partners who are carefully selected to ensure that our agenda remains independent and non-aligned to any particular business models, commercial perspectives, or specific set of technologies.