Launch of Women in Tech Taskforce to Boost Diversity and Growth in UK Tech
The UK government has launched the Women in Tech taskforce, led by technology secretary Liz Kendall, to advise on boosting diversity and growth within the country's technology sector.
The taskforce includes 15 founding members such as BT Group boss Allison Kirkby, Revolut CEO Francesca Carlesi, and Hayaatun Sillem. Anne-Marie Imafidon has been named Women in Tech Envoy and co-chair of the group.
The initiative aims to remove barriers to entry, progression, and access to capital with the goal of improving female representation in tech. This is intended to unlock talent, expand markets, and foster innovation for economic growth.
Data from BCS indicates that around 22% of IT specialists in the UK are women, underscoring calls to close the gender gap to meet artificial intelligence-related goals.
Anne-Marie Imafidon highlighted the importance of leveraging decades of work on equality and representation, emphasizing the need to build technology that benefits everyone amid the current fourth industrial revolution.
The taskforce will advise on strategies to make the tech sector more representative to ensure the UK utilizes the full talent pool and innovation capacity for growth.
Other notable members include Kate Bell from the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Emma O'Dwyer of Uber, and Sue Daley of techUK.
