As the pace of technological change accelerates, traditional project-based delivery models are being challenged. A product-led approach focused on long-term value, continuous improvement and user-centric design is rapidly emerging as the new standard for modern organisations.
But this shift brings both opportunity and risk. While product thinking enables agility, innovation, and deeper customer alignment, it also demands a fundamental change in how teams operate, collaborate and measure success. Leaders must navigate new challenges around governance, accountability and the ethical use of technologies like AI all while driving meaningful outcomes in an increasingly complex digital landscape….
This event explored how leaders can navigate this transformation, balance agility with accountability and lead teams that are built for innovation, resilience and impact.
To guide us through this timely conversation, we brought together a panel of influential voices from across the local tech community, each offering unique insights into the evolving role of leadership in an increasingly product driven world:
Meet the Event host & Speaker panelists
Hosting today’s session is Chris Cahill who has held a variety of Tech leadership roles for the likes of AND Digital, Hermes and Yorkshire Water. Chris does a lot of work in the Tech community in Leeds, having been involved with the British Computer Society for many years in a range of roles including Treasurer and Chair, and also as Regional Chair (North and Midlands) of BCS ELITE.
Chris Crooks is CTO of interactive investor with responsibility for all Technology Platforms, Software Engineering, Infrastructure, Change Delivery and Information Security. Chris has been with the business since 2010, first as part of TD Direct Investing, before the acquisition by ii in 2017. Prior to this Chris performed various IT roles at GE Money and Santander. Chris has over 20 years’ experience in different IT roles and played a central part in ii’s Technology transformation and business migrations, which has seen the business grow from 292k customers with £19.7 billion of assets under administration (AUA) in 2018 to 461k customers with £84.7 billion AUA as of H1 2025
Gemma Dearnley is Head of Digital Product & UX at Domino’s, with a career spanning major brands like Asda, Walmart, Boohoo Group, and PrettyLittleThing. She specialises in product discovery, agile transformation, and stakeholder engagement. As an ILM Executive Coach and Mentor, Gemma brings a people-first approach to leadership, empowering teams to solve complex problems and align their potential with business goals.
John Hughes co-founded The Modern Milkman in 2018 and helped grow the business from a single milk truck in Burnley to a £50m ARR sustainability-focused enterprise. He’s currently the Chief Growth Officer at Vintage Cash Cow in Leeds, where he oversees marketing, product, technology, and data strategy. John has led a comprehensive digital transformation, implemented scalable systems, and helped grow the company by 80% year on year through innovation, customer insight, and operational excellence.
Luke Gibson is Technology Director at Pharmacy2U, where he leads the development of digital solutions that enhance patient care and streamline operations. With a strong background in tech strategy and agile delivery, Luke drives innovation across Pharmacy2U’s platforms. He’s passionate about using technology to improve healthcare outcomes and foster collaboration, helping the organisation stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital health landscape.