As a not-for-profit, volunteer run conference we thought we’d share a little about ourselves as organisers and give a peek behind the scenes to uncover why we make the choices we do.
Here’s a little about us, our cats, why we're volunteer organisers, and our reckons – correct or incorrect, you decide – on pineapple pizza. We hope you'll join us in our quest to make Front End North 2025 another success.
The human faces of FEN
Amy
Who framed this? What a lovely day for a walk!
Amy is part-time Senior Software Engineer at Hive IT, and full-time Social Research student.
Katie
Katie, is that a Shinkansen?!
Katie is Senior Developer at the Financial Times. She’s a member of The Green Party, LGBTIQA+ Greens, and Greens for HS2. She loves cycling, fiddling with bikes, and also has a collection of synthesisers! She gave a talk at State of the Browser in 2024 about making the music of Daft Punk using a browser and a MIDI controller!
Lee
Ooo, someone's had a beard trim haven't they?
Lee is Senior Software Engineer leading Origami, the Financial Times design system team. At any available opportunity he’s off up the hill to tend his allotment and watch the wildlife.
Tom
I'm getting holiday vibes, nice!
Tom is Software Development Manager at Autodesk. He dabbles in various team sports and running, including training for the London Marathon – good luck, Tom!
Ian
Presumably that's Ian's aeroplane – must remember to ask for a lift.
Ian is a designer or developer - depending upon who you ask - with a marketing agency background. After working as a freelancer with publishing organisations and third sector folk, he’s currently exploring web tech in the healthcare tech regulation space.
The feline faces of FEN
Ico and Maki, lovely little trouble makers no doubt!
Mick, thoughtfully helping Amy study.
Anyanka, cute – she's the one on the left.
What’s your motivation for volunteering?
Amy: “When we started FES [Front End Sheffield] originally it was because, as much as I enjoyed SheffieldJS, I wanted somewhere where we could talk about CSS and UX stuff as well. Now we’ve been doing it a while, I love seeing the community that’s developed and the connections people make, and that extends to FEN as well.”
Tom: “Back in 2019, I was a regular attendee of Front End Sheffield, enjoying the networking opportunities to meet like-minded people in the Sheffield area, and when Front End North 2020 was announced, I was quick to throw my name forward to be a volunteer on the day, with the motivation of ‘paying it back’ to the organisers for their efforts with FES and the connections I made through it. Shortly after I joined the organisers group for FES, and here I am, organising the next FEN!”
Katie: “I wanted to create an affordable event for my community. A few years ago I went to a conference called WordCamp London, a conference for people who use Wordpress. WordCamp events are priced to make them accessible to as many people as possible, so the entire community of developers, designers, writers, editors and small business owners are represented. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to organise a similar event for the web. My sales pitch has always been: if your boss won’t pay for you to come, that’s okay because our tickets are affordable.”
Lee: “In 2020 I was considering a move to Sheffield and wanted to spend more time exploring the city. Attending Front End North was a massive ploy to get my employer to pay for train tickets – ssshhhhh, don’t tell! It also helped that there was an incredible lineup of speakers. I had a fab day at the Crucible and the afterparty, where I was able to mingle and make some new friends. It’s funny seeing photos from FEN 2020: Me sat on my own, billy no mates, but surrounded by strangers who would eventually attend my wedding! How could I not volunteer for 2025? It’s lovely to have the opportunity to help promote and connect our hidden gem of a tech scene in Sheffield, and neighbouring towns and cities, for no other reason than that.”
Ian: “I continue to find this industry compelling and it is at meet-ups and conferences where I have found those who are most passionate about what they do. The sense that: "you're not alone in caring about how we build for the web" is something I bring back confidently into my client work. It has enabled me to thrive in those sometimes 'unloved' gaps between development work and traditional design, like UX, SEO and anywhere one can use a little bit more imagination. Also, trying to promote events whilst simultaneously doing paid work as a web designer for event promoters is good for the old empathy levels too!”
What do you love about putting on a good tech conference?
Amy: “I like when you get a really good mix of talks, especially ones on topics I’ve never even considered before. As for organising, I think it’s a great thing to do for the Sheffield tech scene, we often get passed over because of our larger neighbours so it’s good to have something that helps put the city on the map. Plus on the egotistical side there’s something quite cool about having 300+ people show up for an event you’ve helped organise :)”
Tom: “To help bring people together and learn from one another, and to listen to and be inspired by professionals from the industry. There are some excellent technical folk in the city, and working with FES and FEN is our effort to bring those people together and create a little buzz in our city.”
Katie: “It’s wonderful seeing individual strands of work coming together, from people working together as a team, wanting to see something good in the world. It’s also a fun activity to do with good friends!”
Lee: “Networking – or even just having a fun day out with close colleagues – is my favourite part as an attendee. Plus that “ah-ha!” moment when you pick up on a new fact or idea that sparks inspiration. As a volunteer organiser I’m also digging developing new skills and learning from my co-organisers, who are all brilliant and have successful events under their belt – not least Front End North 2020!”
Ian: “Speaking to web developers, I think they sometimes get detached from the value they can bring and the good they can do. This can make them unhappy. We are able to bring topics to the fore which are sometimes forgotten about, but which are important (sometimes, even fun!) but the day to day pressures of work-life push them away. Plus, it's a good team we have here. Well. Above average anyway x”
Share your thoughts on pineapple on pizza?
To end, what are your thoughts on pineapple on pizza?
Katie: “I love both the forbidden pizza toppings - pineapple, and barbecue sauce - not together, though.”
Lee: “Yes, absolute dream. Nothing will beat the Best Kebab take but I’ve cracked a pretentious homemade sourdough veggie version and I’m sorry for what I’ve become.”
Tom: “It’s a strong no, however the juice left behind after flicking them off is not to be dismissed.”
Ian: “Pineapple on a pizza is unacceptable and you shouldn't even joke about it…”
Amy: [Note from author, one way or the other Amy is suspiciously quiet on this]
Join us
That's us! Now, how about you?
There are lots of ways to get involved.
Join us to ensure Front End North 2025 is another success, and help us grow our tech community in Sheffield and across the north.
- Volunteer: Back in 2020 our volunteers were amazing. They helped us on the day to keep things moving smoothly.
- Sponsor: Make an impact by sponsoring Front End North, so we can come back year after year.
- Speak: Submit a proposal to speak at Front End North 2025, and join our wonderful speakers already announced (submissions close 28th April 2025).
- Get your tickets: Or, we'd just be delighted to see you on the day 💚