We know that women in tech face multiple barriers to thrive. At Digital Her, we are tackling this head-on through direct action, with our range of programmes aimed at addressing key challenges in the sector. We’re driving change by creating opportunities, building pathways, and empowering women at all stages of their careers, from school-age students to senior leaders.
We’re working with businesses across the region to inspire the next generation of women in tech. Through our Industry Insights Days (IIDs), young girls are invited into tech workplaces to meet developers, engineers, and role models. They hear first-hand about the diverse routes into tech and explore the wide range of careers the sector has to offer. Our Strategic Headline Sponsor, Booking.com, are leading the way with an amazing offering of IIDs at their Manchester campus. Our Digital Futures Strategy further supports dedicated insight opportunities for young people from wider under represented and marginalized groups. It also supports Digital T-level placements, working in partnership with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and collaborating with local authorities and colleges across Greater Manchester to provide real workplace opportunities for young people, giving them the skills and experience they need to thrive in the digital world.
One of the ongoing challenges in tech is the “leaky pipeline” – the issue of talent dropping off as women progress in their careers. To combat this, we’ve launched a number of key programmes that help women stay in the industry, progress in their careers, and take on leadership roles. MentorHER, now in its third year, offers an in-depth mentorship experience for women early on in their tech careers. Sponsored by AutoTrader, this programme provides full training and support for both mentors and mentees, creating lasting, impactful relationships.
“On paper, I was the mentor but this relationship has taught me so much about myself, which is a great help as I search for my own mentor. It has reinforced the fact that I don’t see my career as ‘me me me’. I want to keep sharing knowledge. I want to keep lifting women up.”
Mercy Fulani, cohort 2 mentor, MentorHER
While we’ve made progress in increasing diversity within the ecosystem, there’s still a long way to go. Recent studies show that only 29% of the UK tech workforce are women or non-binary. Of this, just 21% hold senior roles in tech, and only 5% are in leadership positions. These numbers are particularly striking considering research shows that companies with women in leadership perform significantly better, with reports indicating they are up to 10 times more successful than their counterparts.
To address this disparity, we launched EnableHER: Leaning Into Leadership in collaboration with 6point6 | Part of Accenture. This programme is specifically designed for emerging leaders in the tech and digital sectors, empowering women with the skills they need to succeed in senior roles. The first cohort completed their training in February this year, and we couldn’t be more excited about the incredible talent emerging from this programme.
“Over the course of the programme, I have been able to connect with energetic, ambitious and knowledgeable women in the tech industry, as well as take part in interactive workshops and networking events. What an empowering experience and I now feel equipped to lead with confidence!”
Thienkim Diep, cohort 1 participant, EnableHER
In 2025, we’re introducing even more impactful initiatives. Our rebranded EmpowerHER programme will focus on building essential skills like public speaking and self-advocacy, helping women find their voices, hold their space and become confident advocates for their own career growth. Alongside this, our SupportHER+ work will offer consultancy services to smaller or scaling organisations looking to make strides in diversity and inclusion, helping them create more inclusive, supportive workplaces for women in tech.
For those looking to engage with research and data-driven initiatives, our Insights Partner package offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a collaborative research project on the evolving challenges in the tech industry, particularly in light of the current backlash against DEI efforts we believe it is even more important to lean in. Sponsors will be able to co-author white papers focusing on policy recommendations, progression frameworks, and challenges around talent acquisition and retention. We’ll also use this in our wider lobbying regionally and nationally with government and key stakeholders.
This month, we’re also launching the second season of The Digital Her Podcast. In each episode, we’ll continue to highlight inspiring women across the tech sector, tackling topics under the Digital Her mission. The Podcast Partner opportunity is now available for season 3, and would be ideal for businesses that want to elevate their brand visibility and engage with these crucial conversations, reaching our ever-growing listener base.
Finally, for those businesses looking for a more entry-level, content driven sponsorship, the InspireHER opportunity has been redefined to offer a meaningful ROI. This package includes custom content delivered directly to your internal team via Lunch & Learns and workshops, making it a great way for your business to engage with key issues and drive internal change, while elevating women in your workforce.
Now is the perfect time to get involved with Digital Her. Whether you’re interested in sponsoring a programme, offering mentorship, or boosting your internal DEI efforts, there’s a way for every business to make an impact. Reach out to a member of our team today and see how we can help your business become a leader in building a fairer, more inclusive and thriving workplace for all.
Roxy Stafford – Programme & Events Manager, Manchester Digital