The government has announced a new push to support women in technology, working with industry to address barriers facing female founders and workers as the sector adapts to rapid change.
Announced as part of the Chancellor’s Budget, the programme includes two voluntary standards: one focused on workplace culture and another on investment practice, alongside a scale-up programme for women-led businesses.
The standards are being co-created with industry, investors and the Women in Tech Taskforce, and are expected to launch formally in the coming months.
Creating better routes into and through tech
The Tech Forward Standard will seek to improve culture and remove barriers to entering and progressing in technology. Potential measures include trusted reporting routes for harassment and clearer progression pathways.
FDM Group is among the early ambassadors of the Standard. Its chief operating officer, Sheila Flavell CBE, said the initiative was an opportunity to make technology careers more inclusive and future-ready.
“Women must be supported to overcome the barriers to entering and progressing in tech, so they can access the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in these high growth areas.”
Sheila Flavell CBE, Chief Operating Officer, FDM Group
Skills and progression
Flavell added that workplace culture must be at the heart of the effort, with organisations creating environments in which people can develop and grow from entry-level roles through to technical and leadership positions.
As AI creates new roles and reshapes existing ones, the initiative frames training and upskilling as essential to building the skilled and diverse workforce the UK will need.
FDM Group has launched nearly 25,000 careers globally and employs more than 2,500 people worldwide across 18 centres.
