Women across the UK are set to receive greater support to enter, remain and progress into leadership roles in the technology sector following the launch of the Women in Tech Taskforce by Technology Secretary Liz Kendall.
The move comes amid growing concern that, despite the UK’s fast-growing tech industry, opportunities are not being shared equally. Each year, the economy is estimated to lose between £2 billion and £3.5 billion as women exit the tech sector or move roles due to structural barriers that continue to persist.
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Liz Kendall convened the first meeting of the new taskforce at the British Science Association on Monday 15 December. The initiative brings together senior industry leaders and experts from across the tech ecosystem to advise the government on improving diversity and inclusion within the sector.
Described as a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Women in Tech Taskforce will focus on how the UK can better draw on its full talent pool, expand market opportunities and strengthen innovation capacity in support of long-term economic growth.
The scale of the challenge remains significant. Men currently outnumber women by four to one in computer science degree courses. Women are also less likely to enter the tech workforce, remain in the industry, or progress into senior roles. Research suggests this is not due to capability, but rather the presence of systemic barriers. A 2023 study by the Fawcett Society found that 20% of men working in tech believe women are inherently less suited to these roles.
At the current rate of change, it is estimated that it will take 283 years for women to reach equal representation in the tech sector. In the startup ecosystem, female-founded companies receive 5.9 times less funding than male-founded businesses, despite evidence that they generate 35% higher returns on investment.
The Women in Tech Taskforce will work to identify and remove barriers to education, training and career progression. It will also develop practical recommendations for both government and industry to implement jointly, contribute to policy development aimed at levelling the playing field, and support more inclusive and sustainable economic growth by expanding opportunities for women nationwide.
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.”
As part of the taskforce’s early steps, Anne-Marie Imafidon, founder of STEMETTES, has been appointed Women in Tech Envoy. In this role, she will co-lead the taskforce alongside the Secretary of State.
The group will look to replicate the success of established women-led UK tech companies, including Ivee, Starling Bank, Peanut and Koru Kids. It will also align with existing Department for Science, Innovation and Technology initiatives aimed at developing and supporting tech talent, such as the £187 million TechFirst skills programme and the Regional Tech Booster programme.
The government has highlighted the importance of encouraging girls to consider careers in tech from an early age. The TechFirst skills programme is designed to help more girls build digital and technical skills, while recent curriculum changes will ensure all young people learn essential digital and artificial intelligence capabilities.
These measures are supported by wider initiatives including the STEM Ambassadors Programme and the National Centre for Computing Education’s ‘I Belong’ programme, which aim to showcase potential tech careers to girls across the country. The Women in Tech Taskforce is expected to build on these foundations with further plans to improve representation across the UK’s tech workforce.
