Steve Morland - Chief Technology Officer, Leighton
AWS North Community Conference will return to Newcastle on Thursday 15 October 2026, this time at the BALTIC in Gateshead.
Following the announcement, we spoke to organiser Steve Morland, Chief Technology Officer at Leighton, about the vision behind the event, its impact, and what attendees can expect.
What inspired you to launch the conference?
From the outset, the goal was to create something meaningful for the North of England’s tech community. There’s huge talent here, but many major events have traditionally been held elsewhere. We wanted to create a space where people could connect locally, share ideas and explore AWS without the need for long-distance travel.
How did the inaugural event meet your expectations?
It exceeded them. We welcomed over 150 attendees, 24 speakers and six AWS Heroes from around the world. What stood out most was the quality of engagement. The energy in the room and the conversations taking place showed there’s a strong appetite for this kind of event in the North.
What feedback did you receive?
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. We achieved a 100% satisfaction rate, with more than 92% of attendees planning to return. That’s encouraging, but it also creates a responsibility to build on that success. We’ve taken delegate insights seriously and used them to shape this year’s event.
What can attendees expect in 2026?
We’re expanding both the scale and ambition while keeping what people valued most. The event will offer a full day of talks, discussions and networking. Topics will include modernisation, migration, serverless and AI, alongside practical insights into how organisations can design, build and scale more effectively using cloud technologies.
Who is shaping the programme?
I’m working with a fantastic team including Lee Gilmore, Mark Sailes and Dan Pudwell, who are all deeply involved in the AWS community. Their input ensures the programme reflects both global trends and regional relevance. We’re also supported by the wider Leighton team and the BeaconHouse team.
What are you hoping for from this year’s call for speakers?
Last year brought a high volume of strong submissions, which led to a diverse agenda. We’re hoping to see the same again. Fresh perspectives, real-world experience and ideas that challenge and inspire. It’s a great opportunity for people to contribute to the community.
How important is community to the event?
It’s central. This isn’t just about technology, it’s about people. The North has a growing digital ecosystem, and events like this help bring it together. By connecting developers, engineers, businesses, academics and students, we create an environment where collaboration and innovation can thrive.
Accessibility is a focus this year, can you tell us more?
Yes, that’s really important to us. We’ve introduced a social impact ticket allocation to support underrepresented groups, non-profits, students and those early in their careers. If we want a truly inclusive tech community, we need to ensure opportunities like this are accessible to as many people as possible.
What are your ambitions moving forward?
The focus is on building something that delivers real value, not just for attendees, but for the region. Last year showed what’s possible when people come together with a shared purpose. This year, we want to go further and continue to strengthen the North’s position as a hub for technology and innovation.
For more information, visit: www.northcommunityconf.com