Behind the scenes: Tech Talk and Talent Trends with Emma Grant, Manchester Digital and Rob Sugden, ECOM
Manchester Digital Skills Festival 2025: Building our Digital Tomorrow
In case you haven’t heard, the Manchester Digital Skills Festival is back from 8–14 February 2025! For over a decade, we’ve been bringing together talent, educators, and employers to bridge the digital skills gap and future-proof the sector. It’s a cornerstone of Greater Manchester’s thriving tech ecosystem, and this year, we’re raising the bar again.
One major addition this year is the Sector Insights Report, created in collaboration with ECOM, one of our long-standing festival sponsors and built on the foundations of the Manchester Digital Skills Audit. As we analyse your invaluable feedback to shape the future of our sector, I caught up with Rob Sugden, ECOM’s Managing Director for Manchester, to dive deeper into why this work matters and what’s going on in the tech sector.
Why does the Sector Insights Report matter?
Rob’s perspective was clear: “If you’re not contributing to the sector you work in, you’re just taking from it.” ECOM’s commitment to the tech ecosystem shines through in their belief that businesses thrive when they invest in the community around them. With a bird’s-eye view of the market, ECOM understands the challenges and opportunities facing companies in Manchester and beyond.
“The last few years have shown us how quickly priorities can shift,” Rob noted. While demand for talent remains high, businesses are increasingly seeking market intelligence and guidance, not just recruitment services. This need for trusted advisors is one of the reasons ECOM continues to support initiatives like the Sector Insights Report, the Festival and as a member of the Manchester Digital Community.
What’s the market saying?
Our conversation revealed some fascinating trends. Established brands are facing tough times as they recalibrate post-pandemic hiring surges. Many over hired aggressively during the boom and are now tightening budgets. Conversely, growth-stage businesses are hiring cautiously but strategically, focusing on quality over quantity.
Confidence in hiring remains fragile, with many employers leaning on temporary solutions like contracting to bridge gaps. “The intention to hire is there,” Rob said, “but the uncertainty in the market is holding businesses back from long-term commitments.”
What’s next for the sector?
The conversation also touched on the future of talent pipelines and the pressing need to invest in early careers. Rob observed that many businesses have deprioritised training and development due to immediate pressures. But he cautioned, “If we don’t invest in junior talent now, we risk a future skills shortage that could be much harder to overcome.”
The rise of remote work has further complicated the issue, making it harder for companies to develop skills organically. Yet Rob is optimistic that 2025 will bring more balanced, sustainable growth to the sector—creating opportunities for businesses to differentiate themselves through quality and service.
Looking ahead to the festival
These insights set the stage for the Digital Skills Feast during our Tech Leaders’ Dinner, where we’ll discuss the report’s findings more with key stakeholders and decision-makers, including our Digital Skills Feast Sponsor Slalom. It’s just one of the ways the Manchester Digital Skills Festival continues to foster collaboration and spark meaningful change in the tech ecosystem.
We’ll be publishing the full sector insights report and our white paper recommendations on the final day of the Festival.
So, mark your calendars and join us for a week of inspiration, learning, and action. Together, we can ensure that Greater Manchester remains a leader in digital innovation.
FIND OUT MORE:
Get involved with Digital Skills Festival 25 - exhibit at Talent Day 2025 or book now for Digital Her Day.
