UK Government launches women in tech taskforce  

The UK Government has launched a new taskforce designed to help women "enter, stay and lead" in the UK tech sector.

The project will look to “champion diversity” in the tech sector by working to develop practical solutions to common issues faced by women who want to enter the sector.  

Technology secretary, Liz Kendall said: “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.”

According to research conducted by WeAreTechWomen, a support network for women who work in tech, the UK economy loses an estimated £2bn to £3.5bn because women leave the tech sector or change jobs due to barriers that “should not exist”.

In Scotland, recent statistics show that only 22 per cent of computing science National 5 level candidates were female. It is estimated that only 25 per cent of the STEM sector in Scotland is made up of women.

Commenting on the taskforce, Karen Meechan, chief executive at ScotlandIS said: “We welcome the launch of the UK Government’s Women in Tech Taskforce and the renewed focus on tackling the structural barriers that continue to limit diversity across the sector. ScotlandIS has long recognised the importance of building a more inclusive tech industry."

The taskforce is made up of industry figures and experts from across the tech ecosystem, and will be led by Anne-Marie Imafidon, founder of the STEMETTES. Other notable members of the task force include Allison Kirkby, chief executive of the BT Group and Francesca Carlesi, chief executive of Revolut UK.

Commenting on the make up of the taskforce, Meechan said: "As encouraging as this move is, we'd like to see stronger Scottish representation reflected within the taskforce. Ensuring voices from all nations and regions are involved will be critical if the group is to fully understand the challenges and opportunities that exist across the UK and deliver meaningful, lasting change for women in technology.”

According to the government, men outnumber women four to one in computer science degrees, while a 2023 Fawcett Society study found 20 per cent of men in tech believe women are inherently less suited for roles in the sector. 

At the current pace of change, the government says it would take 283 years for women to achieve equal representation in tech. Female-founded startups also reportedly receive 5.9 times less funding than male-founded ones, despite delivering 35 per cent higher returns on investment.

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.”