Technology secretary launches Women in Tech Taskforce

The secretary of state for science, innovation and technology Liz Kendall has launched a women in Tech taskforce to help more women enter and take up leadership roles in the industry.

The taskforce aims to identify and dismantle barriers to education, training, and career progression, as well as develop practical solutions for government and industry to implement.

The UK government said the first-of-its-kind initiative will advise the government on how to better support diversity in tech and ensure the UK makes the most of the talent pool.

The taskforce will bring together leading industry figures and experts from across the tech ecosystem including Allison Kirkby, chief executive of BT Group, Anna Brailsford, who is the chief executive and co-founder of Code First Girls, and the chief executive of Revolut UK Francesca Carlesi.

According to a study by the Ada Lovelace institute, the UK economy loses an estimated £2-3.5 billion each year due to women leaving the tech sector or changing jobs because of the barriers they face.

The government said that there is a need for change as men currently outnumber women four to one in computer science degrees.

Women are less likely to enter tech, stay in the sector or rise to leadership, not because they are less capable, but because systemic barriers hold them back.

A 2023 Fawcett Society study found 20 per cent of men in tech believe women are inherently less suited for these roles.

At the current pace, it will take 283 years at the current pace for women to achieve equal representation in tech, according to BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.

The institute also found that female-founded startups receive 5.9 times less funding than male-founded ones, despite delivering 35 per cent higher returns on investment.

“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,” tech 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.”