From startups to global enterprises, businesses are under increasing pressure to improve operational efficiencies through modernisation, driven by rising customer expectations, economic changes and the accelerating pace of innovation.
But whilst the move to the cloud offers enormous potential, it leaves many businesses asking the same question: how do we modernise without disrupting what already works?
For many, the challenge isn’t just technical, it’s strategic. With cloud skills shortages, rising costs, and evolving best practices, businesses are looking for ways to make smarter decisions around cloud adoption. And for organisations outside of the major tech hubs, access to the right knowledge, skills and community support can be harder to come by. That’s where the value of shared learning comes in.
The business case for cloud modernisation
According to Grand View Research, the cloud migration services market is experiencing strong, robust growth and the UK market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 25.9% from 2025 to 2030. This growth is predominantly being driven by companies increasing their expenditure on cloud solutions and the associated expertise required to introduce these systems.
Despite this rapid growth, many businesses struggle to navigate the complexities of cloud modernisation. “Cloud adoption isn’t just about technology, it’s about making the right strategic decisions” says Steve Morland, CTO at Leighton. “We see companies investing heavily in cloud solutions but often facing roadblocks when it comes to optimising cost, performance and scalability.”
One of the biggest gaps is knowing what ‘good’ looks like in practice, like how to balance innovation with stability. When to refactor versus rearchitect. And how to avoid spiralling cloud costs. These are decisions that can’t be made in isolation, and increasingly, businesses are looking to peer-led discussions, user groups and industry events to fill that gap.
The rise of community-led cloud learning
The North East has been no exception to this trend. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a growing appetite for in-person events that go beyond theory and dive into practical, hands-on cloud discussions. AWS and serverless user groups in the region have steadily expanded, and yet, many cloud professionals still find themselves travelling to London or further afield for major AWS-focused events.
This highlights a broader challenge in the UK tech ecosystem: while cloud adoption is booming, access to real-world, peer-driven learning opportunities is still unevenly distributed. Tech clusters outside of the capital are thriving, yet regional events that bring together engineers, architects, and leaders remain scarce.
In response, cloud computing advocates from the North’s leading AWS software development business, Leighton, decided to take action. The goal? To create a space where businesses and technologists in the region can share real-world experiences, learn from experts, and contribute to shaping the future of cloud adoption.
The result is the AWS North Community Conference, a specialist event designed to provide a platform for AWS practitioners, technical leaders, developers, and businesses to exchange insights on cloud transformation, explore how AWS is transforming the tech landscape, and how as a community we can transform how we design, build and scale software solutions to increase operational efficiency.
Speaking about the event, which will be funded by Leighton and supported by Dynamo North East, organiser Steve Morland said: “There’s a real gap in the region for a place where our cloud professionals can come together and innovate. While many businesses are pushing forward with modernisation, they need the right conversations, real-world examples, and connections to do it well.”
Unlike large-scale vendor-driven conferences, community-led events like AWS North take a more grassroots approach, focusing on practical solutions, peer collaboration, and direct engagement with experts. This model is already thriving in other regions, with similar AWS community conferences helping to bridge the knowledge gap between large enterprises, SMEs, and startups.
The future of cloud adoption if community-driven
The response so far suggests strong demand for this kind of event. “We’re already seeing huge interest from developers, architects, and business leaders eager to share experiences and learn from one another,” says Steve. “It’s a sign that the tech community in the North East is ready to shape its own future, rather than waiting for resources to come to them.”
As cloud adoption continues to accelerate, so too does the need for collaborative, community-driven learning spaces. Whether it’s through events like AWS North Community Conference or the broader network of AWS professionals across the UK, the ability to exchange ideas, troubleshoot challenges, and stay ahead of industry changes will define the next phase of cloud innovation.
For further information about AWS North please visit the website: www.northcommunityconf.com