Scheme to help boost women in the tech industry
Research shows South Yorkshire lagging behind over the number of women working in tech industries.
A new initiative, the 'FoundHERy' cohort, will be featured at London Tech Week 2026 as part of a recently established task force dedicated to empowering women in the technology industry.
This task force originated from "TechSY," a division of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, with the goal of bolstering the region's tech and digital economy after identifying its underperformance.
Christina Vaughan, who launched her first digital business over two decades ago, observed a persistent scarcity of women in the sector when she started her most recent venture in Sheffield. She remarked, "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."
TechSY's research indicates that women constitute only 18% of South Yorkshire's tech workforce, significantly lower than the national average of 26%. The government's Investing in Women Code Annual Report suggests that increased investment in businesses led by women and ethnic minorities could boost the UK's tech market share by approximately 13%. The report also found that female tech entrepreneurs typically double any economic investment they receive, yet TechSY reports that women receive only 10% of total investment.
The new task force will concentrate on four key areas: increasing the number of women who establish and expand tech companies; encouraging more women to invest in start-ups; supporting women currently in the sector to advance into leadership positions; and inspiring more girls and young women to pursue tech careers.
Helen Milner OBE, chair of the task force, believes that discussions about women in technology have too often focused on problems rather than solutions. She stated, "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 and a driving force behind the project, emphasized the economic benefits of supporting more women in business. "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."
Funding for the task force is provided by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, the British Business Bank, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, channeled through Barnsley Council's Tech Town programme.