Digital/Creative: aql, Yorkshire Payments, West Yorkshire Playhouse

LEEDS firm aql is set to launch the Digital Leaders Programme in Yorkshire.

The programme aims to provide resources and expertise to regional businesses in the public and private sector.

The launch event, on 8 September will bring in 100 representatives from across the region to focus on Northern “digital resilience.”

Dr Adam Beaumont, chief executive of aql, the Digital Leaders Programme regional sponsor for Yorkshire, said: “We are very excited to launch the Digital Leaders Programme in Yorkshire and encourage local talent and digital initiatives emerging across numerous sectors.

“The Leeds City Region has enormous potential centred around digital technology, innovation, smart cities, and we are happy to champion the region’s capability.”

Robin Knowles, chief executive at Digital Leaders added: “I am delighted that Digital Leaders Yorkshire is the seventh regional programme to be launched. Working with our partners aql I look forward to hearing more about what the Digital Leaders in Yorkshire are discussing.

“The Digital Leaders programme will continue to build its reputation for offering great networking, being content rich, and of course importantly, being free to attend.”

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BRIGHOUSE-BASED card payment company Yorkshire Payments has scored a hat-trick of new clients.

The three companies that have newly come on board are Hebden Bridge’s storage experts, Craggs Country Business Park, fellow Brighouse business, Arrow Coaches, and Honley-based Bronte Water.

Dan Holmes, director at Craggs Country Business Park said: “The technology for virtual payments was streets ahead of the competition and much more efficient. The system was up and running in less than a couple of weeks and it’s been such an easy and smooth process.

“Technical support is hugely responsive and it just feels we’ve secured a really comfortable business relationship.”

Founder and managing director of Yorkshire Payments, James Howard said: “We’re proud to be Yorkshire and support local companies.

“We’ve grown substantially since our formation in 2011 but we’re not just about quick wins, we want to develop long-term relationships, such as these with fellow local companies, and beyond.”

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LEEDS theatre the West Yorkshire Playhouse has undergone a digital transformation, after a collaboration with Huddersfield-based web agency, Splitpixel Creative.

West Yorkshire Playhouse has launched a website and online booking system.

West Yorkshire Playhouse approached Splitpixel Creative to design and build a brand new website which would help the theatre’s online presence and introduce a new booking system, following a major rebrand.

Greg Smuk, director at Splitpixel Creative, explained how the team tackled this challenge: “Our aim was to ensure the site was accessible for all users, and make it easy to book tickets throughout.

“As there were already a couple of hundred pages packed with content, we focused on highlighting important information using clever expanding boxes. We also included clear calls to action so that visitors could easily book tickets no matter where they are on the site.”

Nick Hallam, marketing and communications director, at West Yorkshire Playhouse said: “We are very pleased with our relationship with Splitpixel.

“They were part of a major project for us, which included coordinating the installation of a new ticketing system (requiring complex integration with the website) and a major rebrand to all happen on the same day as the launch of the new website.”