Scheme to help boost women in the tech industry

A new task force has been launched to support women in the tech industry.

The idea has come from "TechSY", which is part of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and aims to boost the county's tech and digital economy after it found the region was lagging behind.

Christina Vaughan started her first business in the digital sector more than 20 years ago and found when she launched her most recent venture based in Sheffield, there were still "too few women" in the sector.

She said: "I felt very much on my own 25 years ago, if we can even move the dial a little bit, that would be a good thing."

Research by TechSY revealed women make up only 18% of the tech workforce in South Yorkshire compared to 26% nationally.

The government's Investing in Women Code Annual Report found increasing investment into female and ethnic minority-led businesses could increase the UK's stake in the tech market by around 13%.

It concluded that tech businesswomen generally doubled any economic investment they received, but according to TechSY women receive just 10% of investment.

The new task force will focus on four priorities: increasing the number of women starting and scaling up tech firms; encouraging more women to invest in start-ups; supporting women already working in the sector so they can move into leadership roles; and inspiring more girls and young women to pursue careers in technology.

Task force chair Helen Milner OBE believes too often discussions about women in technology have focused on the problem rather than finding solutions.

"By bringing together employers, educators, investors and founders, we have an opportunity to ensure more women can build successful careers and businesses in technology."

Tracey Johnson, programme director for TechSY, is behind the project. She said backing more women into business was good for growth.

"This isn't simply a diversity issue; it's an economic opportunity and one we must address. If South Yorkshire is serious about becoming one of the UK's leading technology regions, we need to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate and succeed."

The task force is funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, the British Business Bank and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology via Barnsley Council's Tech Town programme.

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