The UK government has launched a Women in Tech Taskforce, aimed at breaking down the current barriers faced by women working or wanting to work in the technology sector.
The task force consists of several experts from the technology ecosystem and its main objective is to stimulate economic growth, following the recent government-backed Lovelace Report found that Britain suffers losses of between £2 billion and £3.5 billion every year as a result of women leaving the technology sector or changing roles.
UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said: “Technology should work for everyone. That’s why I set up the Women in Tech Taskforce, to break down the barriers that still hold too many people back, and work with industry on practical solutions that make a real difference.
“This is of great importance to me. When women are inspired to take on roles in technology and have a seat at the table, the industry can make more representative decisions, build products that serve everyone and unlock the innovation and growth our economy needs.”
The percentage of women in the technology workforce remains around 22% and has grown marginally over the past five years. Lovelace Report Research shows that between 40,000 and 60,000 women leave digital roles each year, either for other technical roles or to leave technology for good.
When women are inspired to take on roles in the technology sector 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
Liz Kendall, Department of Science, Innovation and Technology
There are many reasons for this, including the lack of opportunities to advance their career in their current position. Research from other organizations has shown that a lack of flexibility at work and prejudice also play a role in preventing women from entering the sector or in their decision to leave the IT sector.
The problems can be traced back entirely to school-age girls, who often choose not to continue with technical subjects. One reason for this is that misconceptions about the skills needed for a technical role leave young women feeling like the sector isn’t for them.
Led by Stemettes founder and CEO Anne-Marie Imafidon, the task force’s founding members include:
Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Anne-Marie Imafidon, founder of Stemettes; Women in Tech Envoy.
Allison Kirkby, CEO of BT Group.
Anna Brailsford, CEO and co-founder of Code First Girls.
Francesca Carlesi, CEO of Revolut.
Louise Archer, Academic, Institute of Education.
Karen Blake, tech inclusion strategist; former co-CEO of the Tech Talent Charter.
Sue Daley, Director of Technology and Innovation, TechUK.
Vinous Ali, Deputy Director of StartUp Coalition.
Charlene Hunter, Founder, Coding Black Females.
Hayatun Sillem, CEO, Royal Academy of Technology.
Kate Bell, Assistant General Secretary, TUC.
Amelia Miller, co-founder and CEO, ivee.
Ismini Vasileiou, Director of the East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster.
Emma O’Dwyer, Director of Public Policy, Uber.
These experts will help the government ‘identify and dismantle’ the education, training and career development barriers that prevent women from entering or remaining in the technology sector.
They will also advise on how to support and increase diversity in the UK technology ecosystem and how to replicate the success of organizations that already have an even gender balance in their technical roles.
Collaboration has been strongly emphasized in the past as the only way sustainable change can be developed when it comes to diversity in technology, with the taskforce working to advise government on policy, while also advising on how government, the technology industry and education providers can work together to make it easier to increase and retain the number of women in technology.
The task force will work with other government initiatives aimed at encouraging women and youth in technology careers, such as the recently launched TechFirst skills program and the Regional Tech Booster program, among others.
The first meeting of the Women in Tech Taskforce took place on December 15, 2025.
