News
4th November 2025
Digital leaders, businesses and partners from across the UK and Ireland came together at City Hall, Sunderland, for the city’s inaugural Smart City Symposium (14th October) – an event that celebrated Sunderland’s innovation, collaboration and community-driven transformation.
Delegates travelled to Sunderland from across the UK to explore how the city has rapidly established itself as the UK’s leading smart city, and to learn how digital inclusion, cutting-edge infrastructure and people-first partnerships – including Boldyn Networks and Microsoft – are shaping a brighter, more connected future.
Opening the Symposium, Patrick Melia OBE, Chief Executive of Sunderland City Council, set the tone for the day.
Patrick spoke about Sunderland’s challenges – including skills gaps and health inequalities – not as barriers, but as opportunities for radical change. With a population of 288,000, he emphasised that Sunderland’s scale gives it the agility to deliver bold ideas that can be replicated nationally.
“When we succeed in our ambitions, residents and businesses succeed too. Sunderland will be seen not only as a place of opportunity — but as the Government’s centre for UK innovation,” Patrick said.
Patrick also underlined the city’s commitment to closing the digital divide, ensuring every resident has access to digital tools, skills and connectivity through initiatives such as free superfast 5G public Wi-Fi, the Sunderland App and the city’s growing network of Digital Health Hubs.
Patrick added: Through an ever-evolving ambition and aspiration, we really think like a leading city, and as our civic pride has evolved, so too has our city centre offer – we have made real and tangible differences to the fabric of the city with over £650M investment and a focus on the high quality and visibility of change.”
Keynote speaker Paul Wilson, Chair of SmartCitiesWorld, placed Sunderland’s journey within the global smart city movement.
Highlighting the challenges of rapid urbanisation, the climate crisis and the rise of technology, Paul noted that the most successful cities – of which Sunderland was hailed as an exemplar – are those that build resilience and wellbeing into their transformation strategies.
He drew parallels between Sunderland’s population and that of major organisations, suggesting that the city’s size gives it the same ability to mobilise and innovate as a large corporation – but with far greater community impact. An ability already cemented by notable national recognition at the Future Networks Awards and the Digital Leaders’ People’s Choice Award for 2025; both of which celebrate Sunderland’s digital innovations making a positive impact on people’s lives and the world around us.
“Cities occupy just 3% of the world’s surface but generate 80% of its GDP,” Paul said. “The way we lead our cities is the biggest lever we have to shape a better future.”
“The commitment, determination and results here in Sunderland are remarkable,” he added.
Liz St Louis, Director of Smart Cities at Sunderland City Council described Sunderland as “big enough to make an impact, small enough to make it happen,” and outlined how the city’s 20-year joint venture with Boldyn Networks provides joint equity, joint risk and joint reward – ensuring sustained growth and shared value.
With its own fibre spine, citywide LoRaWAN, private 5G network and extensive ultra-fast free wi-fi, Sunderland’s infrastructure is powering smart solutions that improve productivity, reduce carbon emissions and enhance safety.
Sunderland’s ‘layer cake’ is built upon a foundation of connectivity – a network of wired and wireless networks – with a layer of IoT sensors and a raft of digital solutions that all feed into the Smart City Data Platform, allowing data analysis and visualisation. This data is so powerful for Sunderland, allowing city leaders to understand how the city is performing in real-time.
“Sunderland’s vision is powerful,” said Sean Keating, CTO at Boldyn Networks. “It’s about people, not just technology.”
“Technology is nothing if it doesn’t empower people,” added Richard Green, Azure Lead and Microsoft emphasising Sunderland’s people-first approach to digital transformation.
Barney Smith, founder and CEO at Perform Green, summed up the mood in the room:
“The actual impact it’s had on real people and their lives – that’s what’s really important. Collaboration between city partners has already shown incredible results, and there’s even more potential for future collaborations with academics to use the city as a testbed to find new ways of doing even more.”
Scott Corfe, Director of Economics at Public First, presented new data demonstrating the measurable social and economic benefits of Sunderland’s smart city approach.
Digital Health Hubs have supported more than 10,000 residents, improving digital confidence and helping people access health services, manage finances and enter employment.
Innovative use of data has helped identify 650 additional children eligible for Free School Meals, delivering an estimated £300,000 benefit to local families.
Smart infrastructure is also improving safety and wellbeing – from 5G-enabled cameras helping prevent suicides to IoT solutions supporting older residents to live independently.
Corfe also highlighted Sunderland’s emerging tech economy, including 28 start-ups supported through Tech Sunderland and a growing e-sports sector projected to add £1.6m to the local economy by 2030.
With regards to connecting people and places, the statistics speak for themselves with:
This marks a huge improvement from a starting point with over 110% growth in full fibre to premise.
James Bunting, CEO of Leighton, a software development company, reflected:
“I started my career here in Sunderland around 30 years ago, and driving back into the city this morning, the transformation is staggering.
The difference this work has made for residents, business growth and job creation – it’s huge.
The quality of life here has improved dramatically, and it’s inspiring to see the digital inclusion work making such an impact.”
Chris Cooke, CEO of SmartCitiesWorld, echoed the sentiment:
“We’ve been covering Sunderland for some time during its journey as a smart city, and it’s inspiring to hear Liz talking about the impact and the volume of projects – it’s quite phenomenal and leading in the .
It’s a truly collaborative project, with long-term vision through partners like Boldyn Networks and Microsoft, and an ecosystem that’s driving incredible results.”
Professor Joanna Berry from Durham University Business School reflected on Sunderland’s journey as a living example of adaptive transformation.
She described the city’s smart evolution as “a collective journey” — one that thrives through learning, collaboration and experimentation.
“Sunderland is the perfect place to try, test, and get things right – even if that means getting a few things wrong first,” she said.
“Smart cities are about creating meaningful impact: better connectivity, greater inclusion and opportunities that benefit everyone. Something Sunderland has been tuned into from the start.”
Dr Ashmita Randhawa, director of research and development from Sunderland Software City agreed:
“What’s really exciting is the breadth and appetite for collaboration. The potential lies in the value of data that Sunderland is building to tackle major challenges around inclusion and sustainability.
We can really use this data to innovate and push the boundaries of what a smart city can accomplish in the region.”
Dr Emma Stone, director of evidence and engagement at Good Things Foundation, praised the city’s inclusive focus:
“Normally at events like this, I’m the one reminding people not to forget about digital inclusion – but here, it was embedded from the start. Hearing it come up again and again throughout the day has been really exciting.”
Throughout the Symposium, delegates engaged in dynamic workshops exploring the next phase of Sunderland’s smart city strategy – from data ecosystems and AI, to fostering local entrepreneurship, and building stronger community participation.
Ideas ranged from AI-powered engagement through the Sunderland App, to regional collaboration on digital upskilling and new innovation hubs for start-ups.
The event made one thing clear: Sunderland’s strength lies in its ability to bring people together – across sectors, disciplines and communities – to deliver meaningful change.
Liz said: Inspiring future generations to engage in digital skills to widen opportunities and know how to build their own successful futures drives our ambition to continue our fast journey to be a connected, international city with opportunities for all.”
Delegate Simon Blewitt, CTO at Makutu, said:
“It’s been an exciting day – the powerhouse of Liz and her team driving innovation, and the way they collaborate with partners like us and Boldyn, is inspiring.”
Kalam Neale, head of education at British Esports, captured the enthusiasm shared by many attendees:
“It’s been a really exciting day listening to developments in the city. Knowing that this is the UK’s smartest city, and seeing the vision of the council and partners, really puts Sunderland on the map.
It’s becoming a playground for creative industries — a fantastic place to live, work and play.”
Attendees left the Symposium impressed by Sunderland’s clarity of purpose, genuine collaboration and tangible progress. Many cited the event as one of the most practical and inspiring showcases of real-world smart city innovation in the UK today.
“Sunderland doesn’t just talk about being smart – it shows what smart looks like in action,” one delegate commented.
To explore Sunderland’s smart city vision, use cases and upcoming innovation events, visit: www.exposunderland.com/future-city/delivering-future-city-2025