Morning, Friday, 6th November 2026
Online
This conference will examine priorities for improving diversity, inclusion and workforce participation in the UK technology sector. Areas for discussion include implementation approaches and accountability in improving diversity and inclusion across the technology sector; priorities for workforce participation, retention and progression, education and skills pathways into technology careers, entrepreneurship and access to finance; and evidence, best practice and practical approaches for delivering measurable change.
Taking place as the Women in Tech Taskforce develops its work to improve representation and participation across the sector, sessions will draw on recent analysis from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology with wider consideration of workforce, skills and leadership priorities linked to the UK's digital and AI ambitions.
It will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to discuss priorities emerging from work of the Taskforce, as well as challenges highlighted in the recent analysis by the DSIT around workforce participation, progression, leadership representation and access to finance. Implications of wider developments affecting employment rights, workplace practices, skills and investment will also be discussed.
The planned agenda will bring out latest thinking on where action is most needed to improve recruitment, retention and workforce development, as well as how progress should be measured, and the respective roles of government, employers, investors and education providers in addressing persistent gaps in participation and leadership. Practical issues affecting workforce participation and career progression will be discussed, including workplace culture, flexible working, pay transparency, leadership accountability, reporting requirements and support for employers of different sizes.
Attendees will assess evidence on what is delivering measurable progress, approaches to addressing barriers experienced by women and other underrepresented groups, and priorities for implementation in the context of cost pressures, data collection requirements and organisational capacity.
Further sessions will consider future talent pipelines into technology careers and entrepreneurship, following findings from the 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review and wider discussion around participation in STEM education. Discussion is also expected on access to technical education, apprenticeships, reskilling, mentoring and employer engagement, alongside priorities for supporting participation in high-growth sectors and addressing barriers faced by founders seeking investment and opportunities to scale.
Overall areas for discussion include:
- implementation and accountability for the Women in Tech Taskforce:
- translating commitments into measurable action - governance, reporting, accountability and evaluation frameworks
- coordination between government, industry, investors, funders and education providers - responsibilities and monitoring progress
- widening entry routes and education-to-employment pathways:
- early outreach, curriculum reform and access to education, training, apprenticeships and reskilling opportunities
- links between schools, FE, HE and industry - work placements, mentoring, regional talent development and addressing barriers to participation
- retention, progression, and pay equity:
- drivers of attrition and progression gaps - career development, sponsorship, leadership pathways and workplace practices
- gender pay and progression gaps - transparency, reporting requirements, organisational accountability and mid-career retention
- inclusive workplaces and flexible working:
- addressing harassment, stereotyping, bias and exclusionary behaviours - implementation of employer responsibilities and effective workplace practice
- leadership accountability, workplace culture, flexible working and support for women and those with caring responsibilities
- AI, skills needs, and inclusive innovation:
- meeting emerging technology skills needs - improving participation in AI, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure and other high-growth sectors
- preventing existing inequalities from carrying into new technologies, products, services and workforce models
- entrepreneurship, investment, and business growth:
- access to finance, networks and support for underrepresented founders and entrepreneurs
- investor practices, funding gaps and approaches to widening participation in technology entrepreneurship
- scaling systemic change across the tech sector:
- workforce data collection and evidence - tracking progress, measuring outcomes and linking findings to organisational accountability
- supporting SMEs and scaling businesses - practical approaches to implementation, capacity constraints and adoption of effective inclusion initiatives
