This year’s International Women’s Day centres around the theme ‘Give to Gain’, a reminder that meaningful progress towards equality comes from sustained investment in people.
When we look at the tech sector specifically, the number of women in leadership at high-performing businesses may have risen by 7% since 2021, this headline figures doesn’t tell the full story.
According to the latest Lovelace Report, women currently represent just 20% of the UK’s tech workforce. It also reveals that between 40,000 and 60,000 women leave tech roles annually, and that there has been a 7% drop in how many women are in roles in the information and communication sectors over the past five years.
So although we are seeing improvement in how many women are represented in these industries, retention and long-term career progression remain significant challenges to overcome.
If the tech sector is to become a place where women can truly build and sustain their careers, we must see stronger support for those starting out in the industry. As such, organisations must create environments where women feel empowered, supported and confident that there are clear pathways to progression.
To represent this challenge, several female tech executives share their insights on how businesses can better support women looking to grow and progress within the sector.
Unlocking access to the roles in tech
Research shows that women tend to undersell themselves and are less likely to promote their work. Katie Lyon, Senior Director Partner Sales UK&I at Genesys, sees this pattern with applicants on a regular basis, and believes that women need to be encouraged to apply to roles within the tech industry.
“The truth is that tech isn’t just for people who can code or have a technical degree. It needs all sorts of skills to thrive – problem-solving, creativity, communication, leadership, empathy, and the ability to understand customers and communities. These are areas where women often bring huge strengths. Your experiences, perspective and ideas matter, even if your CV doesn’t match every technical requirement on paper,” she says.
“My advice to women thinking about a career in tech is simple: go for it, and back yourself. Talk to people in the industry, connect with mentors who can offer guidance and encouragement. Take time to explore the wide range of roles out there and think about how your own skills and experiences could make a real impact.”
For Lisa Topliss, Director of Strategy & Operations at Ricoh Europe, prioritising applying to organisations which invest in female talent is essential.
“When businesses create inclusive cultures and open pathways for development, it makes a real difference – all the way to the boardroom. I’ve seen this first hand at Ricoh with the initiatives and programmes we have in place and how we actively encourage female interns to start a career in STEM while also training the next generation of female engineer apprentices,” she says.
Sarah Hoffman, Director of AI Thought Leadership at AlphaSense, believes that AI has lowered barriers to joining the industry.
“Today, you don’t need to be an expert programmer to test ideas, build prototypes, or explore complex questions. The ability to experiment quickly, learn fast, and iterate has become more important than mastering a single technical skill.
“My advice to young women and girls interested in STEM: Embrace this moment. Follow your curiosity, even if you don’t yet see a traditional pathway. The future of science and technology will be shaped by those who are willing to explore, experiment, and keep learning.”
It’s also an opportunity for women to lead, according to Laura Heisman, Chief Marketing Officer at Dynatrace.
“AI is not only reshaping roles, but entire career journeys. Traditional paths are breaking down, opening doors for women to step into emerging opportunities – and redefining what’s possible for soon-to-be graduates and school-aged girls alike.
When we support women and future generations through mentorship, intentional recruiting, training, and shared learning, we don’t just advance opportunity – we build better technology, stronger businesses, and a more inclusive future.”
Empowering women to move into leadership
It has been predicted that it will take another thirty years to close the gender pay gap. Speeding this up requires dedicated mentorship and the deliberate creation of opportunities which are accessible to women.
“I began my career without a strong female mentor, and while I had incredible male mentors, I believe that seeing a female leader in the workplace would have helped me to understand how I could shape my own career,” says Faye Ellis, Principal Training Architect at Pluralsight.
“Then when we look at how AI is reshaping businesses, women must also be involved at every stage of its integration, to make sure outcomes are inclusive and equitable. AI can automate many manual tasks, and this needs to deliberately create pathways for women into more strategic, decision-making positions.”
Establishing a culture which allows women to advance fuels professional development, which is important to Jessica Guistolise, Evangelist at Lucid Software.
“By investing in mentorship and inclusive collaboration, we create a space where curiosity thrives and ordinary ideas can become extraordinary. When women thrive, we move beyond simple representation and begin to catalyse a collective experience that is as resilient, thoughtful, and impactful as the people who define it,” she says.
Driving action beyond discussion
For Oana Jinga, Chief Commercial and Product Officer at Dexory, discussing these issues isn’t enough – real, actionable steps must be taken for the system to change.
“Innovation accelerates when we draw on the full range of talent, experience and perspective available to us. In AI, robotics and warehouse automation, fostering a culture that actively supports diversity is not just the right thing to do. It is essential for building better technology and stronger businesses,” she says.
“The conversations are happening. Now they must lead to action. Inclusion cannot be treated as optional. It is fundamental to innovation, growth and ensuring the next generation sees AI and robotics as industries where they can belong.”
The value of diverse viewpoints
As the tech industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, bringing a wide range of perspectives and experiences into organisations will help, rather than hinder the sector. Regardless of the career stage that women are at, they must be reminded that their voices are essential in a sector which builds products and solutions for everyone – not just men.
“The tech sector’s future success depends on a range of perspectives and experiences. Different backgrounds broaden how we think, strengthen decision-making and support meaningful innovation,” says Laurinda Pang, CEO of Sinch.
“For women in tech, especially those early in their careers, it is important to know that different perspectives are needed and valued. Continued progress depends on creating an environment where more voices can contribute.”
Sonia Hernandez, Chief Commercial Officer at Vantage Towers, agrees: “To equip businesses and communities with the connectivity and services they rely on, we need a diverse workforce that truly reflects the people we serve. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the achievements, resilience and leadership of women everywhere, and reaffirm our commitment to accelerating progress. Empowering women and girls in every field, from on-the-ground roles to boardrooms, is essential to building inclusive, innovative and resilient organisations.
Building an environment where women feel supported to grow their career is a multifaceted challenge for the tech sector. It requires sustained commitment from organisations to invest in inclusive cultures and actively remove obstacles to progression. Opening access, creating clear opportunities and turning intent into action are all essential to shaping a more equitable workforce.
