UK launches taskforce to expand women’s participation in the tech industry

The United Kingdom has established a new taskforce aimed at increasing gender diversity in the technology sector. Led by Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, the group will comprise female leaders from tech companies and organizations who will advise the government on strategies to boost representation, retention, and leadership of women in tech. This initiative follows concerns from industry bodies such as BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, that women are underrepresented in IT roles, currently around 22% in the UK. The taskforce, named Women in Tech, seeks to address barriers from entry routes to career progression and access to capital, arguing that a more representative tech sector will improve decision-making and product development for a broader audience. Anne-Marie Imafidon, founder of Stemettes, will serve as the Women in Tech Envoy, collaborating with Liz Kendall. Founding members include leaders from BT, Revolut, and the Royal Academy of Engineering, among others. The government emphasizes that tapping into the full talent pool is essential for economic growth and advancing AI goals, with industry voices calling for stronger action to close the gender gap. The initiative also aims to build a pipeline of young women into STEM fields and to shift cultural norms about women’s roles in technology.