The UK Government has launched the Women in Technology Task Force to address the current barriers faced by women working or wanting to work in the technology sector.
The main goal of the working group, consisting of several experts from the technology ecosystem, is to stimulate economic growth after the recent government-backed Lovelace Report found that the UK suffers annual losses of between £2 billion and £3.5 billion as a result of women leaving the tech sector or changing roles.
UK Technology Minister Liz Kendall said: “Technology should work for everyone. That's why I created the Women in Technology Taskforce, to break down the barriers that still hold too many people back and work with industry to find practical solutions that make a real difference.
“This is very important to me. When women are inspired to take on roles in technology and have a seat at the table, the sector can make more representative decisions, create products that serve everyone, and unlock the opportunities for innovation and growth that our economy needs.”
The share of women in technology remains around 22%, having increased slightly over the past five years. Lovelace Report found 40,000 to 60,000 women are leaving digital roles every year, whether for other tech jobs or to leave tech for good.
When women are inspired to take on roles in technology and have a seat at the table, the sector can make more representative decisions, create products that serve everyone, and unlock the opportunities for innovation and growth that our economy needs.
Liz Kendall, Department of Science, Innovation and Technology
There are many reasons for this, one of which is the lack of opportunity to move up the career ladder in your current position. Research from other organizations discovered a lack of flexibility at work And bias plays a role too either discouraging women from joining the sector or contributing to their decision to leave IT.
The problem can also be attributed to school-aged girls, who often choose not to continue studying technical subjects. One of the reasons for this is that misconceptions about the skills required for a technical role making young women feel like the sector is not for them.
Led by the founder and CEO of Stemettes. Anne-Marie ImafidonThe founding members of the working group 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, Academician, Institute of Education.
Karen Blake, technology inclusion strategist; former co-CEO of Tech Talent Charter.
Sue Daly, Director of Technology and Innovation at TechUK.
Hayatun Sillem, Director General of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Kate Bell, TUC Assistant General Secretary.
Amelia Miller, co-founder and CEO of ivee.
Ismini Vasileou, Director, East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster.
Emma O'Dwyer, Director of Public Policy at Uber.
These experts will help the government “identify and dismantle” the barriers preventing women from joining or remaining in the technology sector in education, training and career development.
They will also advise on how to maintain and increase diversity in the UK tech ecosystem, and replicate the success of organizations that already have an equal gender split in their tech fields.
In the past, collaboration was seen as the only way to achieve lasting change When it comes to diversity in tech, the task force is working to advise the government on policy issues, as well as advising on how government, the tech industry and education providers can work together to make it easier to increase and maintain the number of women in tech.
The task force will work in tandem with other government initiatives aimed at encouraging women and youth to pursue careers in technology, such as the recently launched TechFirst skills development program and the Regional Tech Booster program, among others.
The first meeting of the Women in Technology Task Force took place on December 15, 2025.
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