The first meeting has taken place of a new group designed to tackle the challenges that prevent women from pursuing careers in the UK’s technology sector.
The Women in Tech Taskforce has been created following research showing that women account for only 22% of UK IT specialists, and the economy loses an estimated £2 – £3.5 billion every year because women leave the tech sector or change jobs due to barriers.
In addition, female-founded start-ups receive 5.9x less funding than male-founded ones, despite delivering 35% higher returns on investment, and a 2023 report said at the current pace, it will take 283 years for women to achieve equal representation in tech.
The new taskforce, which had its first meeting at the British Science Association on Monday, will advise the government on how to improve diversity in tech and identify ways to remove barriers to education, training, and career progression.
Technology secretary Liz Kendall said:
“Technology should work for everyone, that is why I have established the Women in Tech Taskforce, to break down the barriers that still hold too many people back, and to partner with industry on practical solutions that make a real difference.
“This matters deeply to me. When women are inspired to take on a role in tech and have a seat at the table, the sector can make more representative decisions, build products that serve everyone, and unlock the innovation and growth our economy needs.”
Kendall leads the taskforce alongside Anne-Marie Imafidon, founder of Stemettes, a social enterprise which encourages girls and young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and maths, who has been appointed as the government’s Women in Tech Envoy.
The other taskforce members are
- Allison Kirkby, CEO, BT Group
- Anna Brailsford, CEO and co-founder, Code First Girls
- Francesca Carlesi, CEO, Revolut UK
- Louise Archer, Institute of Education
- Karen Blake, tech inclusion strategist and former co-CEO of the Tech Talent Charter
- Sue Daley OBE, director, tech and innovation, techUK
- Vinous Ali, deputy executive director, StartUp Coalition
- Charlene Hunter, founder, Coding Black Females
- Dr. Hayaatun Sillem, CEO, Royal Academy of Engineering
- Kate Bell, assistant general secretary, TUC
- Amelia Miller, co-founder and CEO, ivee
- Dr Ismini Vasileiou, director, East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster
- Emma O’Dwyer, director of public policy, Uber
Last week, the Invest in Women Taskforce, which was set up by government in 2024 to boost the amount of funding going to female entrepreneurs, said it has raised £635 million.