Summary
John Bradford is a mission-driven technology leader and CEO with 10+ years steering regional tech ecosystems and community-focused initiatives from Bristol. He founded and runs DigiLocal, which has transitioned hundreds of young people to online learning, runs daily group coding sessions, and refurbishes donated laptops to target digital exclusion in partnership with schools and social services. With a background spanning academia, innovation programmes and aerospace supply-chain support, he combines strategic leadership, hands-on programme delivery and grant/funding expertise. A PhD in manufacturing systems underpins his systematic approach to scaling community tech clubs and developer events across the West of England. Known for pragmatic, non-credentialist learning models, he prioritises inclusion, resilience and self-directed problem solving to prepare youth for careers in high tech.
10 years of coding experience
18 years of employment as a software developer
PhD, Systemic redesign of Manufacturing Systems in SMEs, PhD, Systemic redesign of Manufacturing Systems in SMEs at University of Plymouth