Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has announced the launch of the Women in Tech taskforce to champion diversity in the UK tech sector and boost economic growth.
With research showing women leaving tech leads to estimated loss of up to £3.5B every year, the taskforce will aim to ‘break down barriers’ that hold women back from entering, staying and leading in the tech sector.
The taskforce will bring together industry figures and experts from across the tech ecosystem, advising the government on how to better support diversity in tech and ensure the UK accesses the full talent pool, market opportunities and innovation capacity needed for economic growth.
Its key goal is to identify and dismantle barriers to education, training and career progression and then develop practical solutions for government and industry to implement side by side, shape policy that encourages diversity and levels the playing field, and drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth by expanding opportunities for women across the UK.
Currently, men outnumber women four to one in computer science degrees. A 2023 Fawcett Society study found 20% of men in tech believe women are inherently less suited for these roles.
“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 said at the first meeting of the Women in Tech taskforce at the British Science Association yesterday (December 15).
In one of the first moves to establish the taskforce Anne-Marie Imafidon, founder of the STEMETTES, has been appointed as the Women in Tech envoy and in this role will lead the taskforce alongside the secretary of state.
Other founding members include Francesca Carlesi, CEO at Revolut UK; Allison Kirkby, CEO at BT Group; Vinous Ali, deputy executive director at StartUp Coalition; and Charlene Hunter, founder at Coding Black Female.
The taskforce will look to replicate the success of women-led UK tech companies including Ivee, Starling Bank, Peanut and Koru Kids, and will complement DSIT initiatives designed to develop and support tech talent in the UK, such as the £187m TechFirst skills programme and the Regional Tech Booster programme.
Earlier this month, the British Business Bank invested £30m in the Invest in Women Taskforce’s ‘Women backing Women’ fund.