Herb Kim, founder of iconic North East innovation conferences including Thinking Digital, TEDxNewcastle and TEDxDurham, has been awarded an Honorary MBE for services to technology in Northern England.
Herb, originally from New York, moved to the UK in 1997 and relocated to the North in 2002, quickly becoming a catalyst in helping shape and grow the region’s technology and digital sector. He founded Codeworks in 2002 as a digital ‘centre of excellence’ in partnership with the then regional development agency, One Northeast.
The Thinking Digital Conference was launched in 2008 followed by TEDxNewcastle in 2009. Herb’s initiatives saw him recognised as part of the MediaGuardian’s Top 100 noteworthy people of 2010 and the Wired Magazine Top 100 in 2011. In 2014, Buzzfeed included Herb in its list of ‘Geordie Heroes’ and in 2019 he was named as one of the Top 100 Asians in UK tech. Most recently, Herb was credited for producing the No 1 TED Talk of 2025.
Herb said,
“I am truly humbled to receive this award. As a person born in Brooklyn, New York to Korean parents, never did I think I’d be accepting an Honorary MBE from His Majesty, the King.
“It is the honour of my life that my work is considered to have made an impactful contribution to the communities of technologists and innovators across the North East. My deepest gratitude to all the companies, Universities, organisations and colleagues who have collaborated with me across my 24 years working in the North.”
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:
“A huge congratulations to Herb on being awarded an Honorary MBE. It’s incredibly well deserved as he’s worked tirelessly to grow our region’s tech and digital sectors.
“His important work is key to our region’s future success which ultimately means more jobs for local people, more investment and more opportunities for our young people. Through impactful events Herb has shined a light on the brilliant innovation in our region, which has put the North East firmly on the map.”
The 17th Thinking Digital Conference takes place in Newcastle on 20 and 21 May, promising another inspiring and thought-provoking experience.
Thinking Digital was launched in 2008 as a beacon to showcase the region’s growing technology sector and bring together a range of expert speakers and innovative ideas.
It’s become an essential event in the North East calendar and takes place over two days at the Glasshouse Centre International Centre for Music in Gateshead, offering inspiring talks, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities.
Tickets to Thinking Digital Conference 2026 are now on sale.
