Speaking at a House of Commons event during Women in Tech Week, Diane Gilbert, Senior Lead at Plexal, reflected on the findings of the Lovelace Report, the launch of the TechFirst Women’s Programme and the role technology employers can play in unlocking untapped talent, strengthening skills pipelines and supporting more women to enter, thrive and lead in technology careers.
Good morning everyone,
It’s a pleasure to be here – particularly during Women in Tech Week and alongside the people who helped bring the Lovelace Report to life, as well as those who continue to champion its recommendations.
When the report was published last year, one message stood out.
The loss and movement of female talent in technology isn’t just a challenge for individual women.
It’s a challenge for businesses, for innovation and for the UK economy.
The report made clear that if we want the UK to remain competitive in industries increasingly shaped by AI, cyber security, semiconductors and other high-growth technologies, we cannot afford to overlook half of the population.
One year on, we’ve seen growing recognition of that challenge.
But recognition alone isn’t enough.
We still see women underrepresented across many areas of technology. We still hear from employers struggling to fill critical roles.
And we still meet talented women who don’t see technology as a career that’s open to them, despite having many of the skills that employers are actively looking for.
That’s particularly important because technologies are changing the nature of work itself.
The conversation is no longer just about technical expertise.
Technology companies increasingly need people who can solve problems, manage projects, communicate effectively, understand customers, work across disciplines and lead teams through change.
Those skills exist everywhere.
They exist in retail, healthcare, education, public services, hospitality and countless other industries.
Yet too often, people with those skills don’t realise they have a place in technology.
It’s time for change.
That’s why I’m proud to represent Plexal – where we specialise in turning innovation into positive impact for society – as the delivery lead behind the TechFirst Women’s Programme on behalf of DCMS.
This week, we launched the programme, part of the Government’s wider TechFirst campaign, with intention on Ada Lovelace Day.
With a host of partners, including WeAreTechWomen, the programme has a core ambition.
And that’s to help more women access, secure and thrive in technology careers, while helping employers access the talent they need to grow.
Over the next phase of delivery, we’ll support 300 women into paid employment opportunities across AI, cyber security, engineering biology, quantum technologies, semiconductors and advanced communications.
Crucially, we’re not just focusing on people who already work in technology.
We’re focusing on transferable skills.
We’re supporting women returning after career breaks.
Women transitioning from other sectors.
Women looking to progress.
Women early in their careers and those with more experience.
And women who may never previously have considered technology as a realistic option.
Alongside skills development, participants will receive mentoring, career support and connections to employers who recognise that talent doesn’t always arrive through traditional recruitment routes.
And that’s where I think the opportunity lies.
Because the challenge isn’t simply getting more women into technology.
It’s ensuring employers are equipped and willing to recognise potential when they see it.
The organisations that can make the greatest progress needn’t ask whether someone has followed a conventional path.
They should be asking whether that person can contribute, learn, adapt and grow.
That’s the mindset that will be needed if we’re going to build a workforce capable of meeting the demands of the future.
And it’s why partnerships matter so much.
TechFirst Women’s Programme brings together government, employers, educators, community organisations and delivery partners, including WeAreTechWomen, whose work has been instrumental in championing women across the industry and helping bring these issues to the forefront.
The reality is that no single organisation can solve this challenge alone.
But together, we can create clearer pathways into technology careers, better support for women already working in the sector and stronger talent pipelines for employers.
The Lovelace Report challenged us to move beyond talking about the problem.
Today, the question isn’t whether change is needed.
It’s how quickly we can deliver it.
Because every woman who advances into a technology career benefits.
Every employer that gains access to new talent benefits.
And every step we take towards a more inclusive technology workforce strengthens the UK’s ability to innovate, compete and grow.
The Lovelace Report challenged all of us to move from awareness to action.
So, my ask today is this: don’t leave this room inspired, leave it committed.
Committed to reviewing a hiring process.
Committed to supporting a returner.
Committed to mentoring someone entering the industry.
Committed to creating one more opportunity than existed yesterday.
Committed to spreading the word about the TechFirst Women’s programme – across professional and personal circles.
Individually, those actions may seem small.
Collectively, they’re how we build a technology sector where more women can not only enter, but stay, thrive and lead.
Thank you.
