TO BE PUBLISHED November 2026
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This conference will examine next steps for improving diversity, inclusion and participation in the UK technology workforce. Areas for discussion include recruitment, retention and progression in technology roles, workplace culture and leadership accountability, education and skills pathways into the sector, participation in technology entrepreneurship, and approaches to measuring progress.
It will take place following publication of the Women in Tech Taskforce’s findings from its call for evidence, Building a Future Tech Sector That Works for Everyone.
The conference will be an opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to consider its findings and priorities going forward, drawing on the evidence provided by workers, employers, founders, students, researchers and representative organisations on barriers to entering, remaining and progressing in the technology sector.
Delegates will discuss the practical implications for the Taskforce’s developing work and recommendations. Discussion will also reflect wider developments affecting technology skills and workforce demand, including the AI Opportunities Action Plan, the TechFirst skills programme and continuing expansion in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and cybersecurity.
We expect a focus on priorities for employers, government, education and training providers, investors and representative organisations, informed by the experience of workers, founders and those seeking to enter or return to technology careers. The agenda examines how barriers linked to gender, ethnicity, disability, socio-economic background and geography should be reflected in policy development, employer practice, investment decisions and approaches to accountability.
Recruitment, retention, workforce development & employment rights
Delegates will examine where action is most needed to improve recruitment, retention and progression across the technology workforce, including workplace practice, career development and the implementation of emerging employment requirements.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- retention and progression: factors contributing to workers leaving technology roles - barriers to career development and leadership - mid-career retention and returner pathways
- recruitment and development: inclusive recruitment - career support - sponsorship and mentoring - access to professional development and emerging technology skills
- workplace practice: flexible and hybrid working - support for those with caring responsibilities - menopause and health-related support - practical approaches for employers of different sizes
- culture and conduct: harassment and discrimination - stereotyping and exclusionary behaviour - psychological safety - leadership responsibility
- employer action plans: gender pay gap and menopause action plans for employers with 250 or more employees - voluntary arrangements from April 2026 - proposed mandatory requirements from spring 2027, subject to legislation - proportionality, organisational capacity and implementation
Policy priorities, accountability & monitoring progress
Attendees will consider how the Women in Tech Taskforce’s call-for-evidence findings should inform developing policy, employer action and approaches to measuring and reporting progress.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- Taskforce priorities: implications of the call-for-evidence findings - priorities for developing recommendations - areas for government and industry action
- measuring progress: workforce data and reporting - evidence of what delivers measurable change - consistency and comparability - linking evidence to organisational accountability
- intersectional barriers: reflecting gender, ethnicity, disability, socio-economic background and geography in policy, employer practice and evaluation
- organisational responsibility: leadership accountability - workforce engagement - translating commitments into practical action - proportionate approaches for organisations of different sizes
- roles and coordination: responsibilities across government, employers, investors, education providers and representative organisations - coordination and sharing effective practice
Education, skills pathways & widening entry routes
Sessions will examine pathways through education and training into technology careers, and how provision can widen participation while responding to changing workforce demand.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- early engagement: STEM and computing outreach - addressing stereotypes - careers information - teacher capacity and digital literacy
- curriculum and qualifications: implications of curriculum and assessment reform - computing and AI literacy - developing clear and accessible routes into technology careers
- technical and vocational routes: T Levels, apprenticeships and higher technical education - alternative, retraining and returner pathways - participation and employer recognition
- education and industry partnerships: collaboration across schools, further and higher education, training providers and employers - mentoring, placements and work experience
- regional talent development: aligning local skills provision with employment opportunities - access outside established technology centres - employer engagement
- skills alignment: responding to workforce demand in AI, digital infrastructure and cybersecurity - access to upskilling and lifelong learning - avoiding the reproduction of existing inequalities
Inclusive innovation, entrepreneurship & access to finance
The conference will examine barriers affecting who is able to establish, lead and scale technology businesses, and priorities for widening access to investment, support and innovation opportunities.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- founder access: barriers to establishing and scaling technology businesses - access to finance, commercial networks, advice and opportunities
- investor practice: funding decisions and pipeline development - transparency of investment data - addressing gaps affecting underrepresented founders
- commercialisation and growth: support for start-ups, SMEs and scaling businesses - access to innovation and commercialisation programmes - management and workforce capability
- regional participation: access to investment and business networks outside established technology centres - regional funds, accelerators and support programmes
- inclusive technology: addressing bias and the reproduction of existing inequalities in emerging technologies, recruitment tools, products and services
- skills and adoption: access to training and lifelong learning - supporting smaller businesses to recruit, develop and retain a diverse workforce
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.
