This month, Planet Mainframe celebrates influential mainframers nominated by the community.
Today, we recognize a trusted voice in mainframe modernization and sustainable IT.
Stuart Ashby
Practice Lead, PopUp Mainframe
England, United Kingdom
Connect with Stuart on:
View the entire 2025 Influential Mainframers group here.
Whether driving client modernization as Practice Lead at PopUp Mainframe or shaping the program behind one of the industry’s largest conferences, Stuart Ashby brings energy, clarity, and vision to everything he touches. With a deep technical background and a strong commitment to community building, Stuart stands out as a leader.
“Stuart is a busy, influential, and selfless mainframe professional,” shared one nominator. “He’s a great credit to the community he serves—delivering customer value while making space for others to connect, learn, and grow.”
As Co-chair of the Application Development track for GSE UK, Stuart plays a central role in shaping the conference’s technical agenda—ensuring it reflects the latest trends, best practices, and diverse voices across the mainframe space. In 2024, he helped deliver the largest GSE UK event to date and is already deep into planning the 2025 virtual edition. He’s also part of the organizing team behind MainframerZ, a growing Meetup community that brings professionals together to exchange ideas.
Stuart is known for contributing to various publications and thought leadership forums on topics including DevOps, mainframe application delivery, toolchain integration, and sustainable IT. He is particularly proud of his 2025 article, Could Z Also Stand for Zero Waste?, which examines the platform’s potential through an environmental lens, linking mainframe efficiency to broader sustainability goals.
He is described as approachable, insightful, and collaborative. “From customer to coworker, I’ve benefited from every interaction,” said a former colleague. “Stuart brings clarity to complex projects and helps move ideas into action.”
At PopUp Mainframe, Stuart works closely with clients on transformation initiatives. He brings a balanced, vendor-neutral perspective to help organizations adopt modern tooling and agile practices without compromising mainframe strengths.
Influential Mainframer
Mainframe technology continues to evolve because of the dedicated professionals, educators, mentors, and innovators who drive it forward. We’re shining a spotlight on the individuals who are making waves—whether they’re advancing technology, mentoring new talent, sharing knowledge, championing modernization, or quietly keeping mission-critical systems running every day. These are the people shaping the future of mainframe. They come from all backgrounds and experience levels, but they all have one thing in common: they’re making a difference.
Check back daily as we reveal a new honoree. Read their stories, celebrate their impact, and be inspired.
Follow @Planet Mainframe and follow #pmfinfluentialmainframers to congratulate this year’s honorees, share your favorite stories, and spread the word.