THE Bupa everywoman in Technology Awards, celebrating the most inspirational women working in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), have announced the finalists for this year’s awards, recognising all stages of the career journey, from apprentices to C-Suite. Now in their 14th year, the awards shine a spotlight on and celebrate the tech industry’s most exceptional talent, from the UK and beyond, creating role models to inspire and attract women and young girls into STEM careers and close the gender gap within technology.
As an innovative industry, new sectors and specialisms, and therefore career opportunities, continue to increase. The UK tech market has been valued at $1trillion making it the third most valuable in the world, confirmation that growth is not slowing. Despite this, women currently only occupy 24% of roles in the technology industry and recent research suggests that almost half experience burnout, with 7% adding that they have felt pushed to their physical and mental limits.
Maxine Benson MBE, Co-Founder of everywoman, commented:
“It is paramount that the technology industry not only attracts female talent to sustain the industry’s innovation and growth, but that this female talent is retained. Since 1999, everywoman has been supporting companies to attract, develop, retain, and advance women in business, delivering leadership development to over 200,000 women and today over 40% of all our learning content has a wellbeing related theme. Family responsibilities and health related issues play key roles in career progression; they are intrinsically linked. It is only by ensuring that female tech talent is empowered to live long, healthy lives enabling them to enjoy successful careers, that the gender gap can truly be addressed. Our partnership with Bupa will focus on gaining a deeper understanding of what more we can be doing to transform the workplace into one that enables that.”
APPRENTICE AWARD – sponsored by SSE:
- Fatima Bari, Technology Apprentice at JP Morgan Chase, from Glasgow
In 2019 she began her career journey at J.P. Morgan as a Software Development Apprentice and in 2023 she graduated with a 2:1 honors degree, stepping into a full-time role as a full stack developer. She chose a career in technology because of her love of learning and seeking out creative solutions to problems and has found endless opportunities in the field keeping her from being bored. There are so many uses of technology and she loves the ability to be able to create various solutions, helping people and addressing problems. She shares her technology enthusiasm at a variety of events, actively engaging with young people to inspire the next generation of technologists.
CYBER SECURITY AWARD – sponsored by BAE Systems:
- Freha Arshad, Managing Director at Accenture, from Edinburgh
Freha leads Accenture Security’s UK&I Health & Public Service Practice as well as being responsible for the cyber team in Scotland. Freha is also a member of the Scottish Government’s ‘National Cyber Resilience Advisory Board’, advising ministers and the national cyber resilience team on the cyber landscape for Scotland and how the government should best formulate its processes and action plans for a cyber resilient Scotland. Freha works in close collaboration with key stakeholders including the regional cyber cluster, with whom she co-founded ‘Women in Cyber Scotland’ group.
DIGITAL STAR AWARD – sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group:
- Rose Ulldemolins, Tech School Lead at Lloyds Banking Group, from Edinburgh
Since being re-skilled Rose has done a variety of tech roles, from a full-stack Engineer to Engineering Community Lead and now to Tech School Lead. With her passion for I&D, Rose co-chairs a 1700 strong network called Women ConnecTech, whose aim is to improve gender diversity in the industry. This included running a program to upskill over 100 colleagues to be able to code, following the success she is now rerunning this for over 250 people.
- Suzanne Laporte, Marketing and Communications Lead at Tech She Can, from Glasgow
Suzanne is a Marketing and Communications Specialist, with more than 15 years’ experience in a range of industries, including the Third Sector, Recruitment and Financial Services. She loves connecting with audiences through the right channels, at the right time, to tell engaging stories. Suzanne’s approach is to create data-driven, insight-led campaigns that build a compelling narrative. She has led large scale product launches for Tesco Bank, driven digital adoption for NatWest and created compelling campaigns for charities.
INNOVATOR AWARD – sponsored by American Express:
- Amberle Gregory, Project Manager at SSEN – Transmission, from Glasgow
Amberle Gregory has a passion for technology and innovation and wants to use it to help achieve Net Zero. After six years in the British Army and tours of duty around the world, she is now a project manager at the electricity distribution network operator, SSEN. Amberle has successfully led the technical trials of a system that could help her industry reduce its carbon footprint. She is also an army reservist and champions inclusion in the workplace for ex-forces personnel.
RISING STAR AWARD – sponsored by Booking.com:
- Fatima Ceesay Lopez, Software Engineer at JP Morgan Chase, from Glasgow
Fatima, a Software Engineer at JP Morgan, began her technology journey as a Tech Apprentice in 2019. Recently graduating with a first-class honours degree in Software Development, she has been a driving force in developing innovative solutions and leveraging AI and ML for process automation. Her dedication to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion has led to her being named JP Morgan’s BOLD Scotland resource group lead (Black Organization for Leadership and Development). Fatima is also a passionate advocate of tech careers for young people through her engagement with schools, colleges, and charities.
SOFTWARE ENGINEER AWARD – sponsored by Discover:
- Joanna Kelly, Senior Software Engineer at Leonardo, from Edinburgh
Joanna is a Senior Software Engineer at aerospace engineering company Leonardo, where she works in a diverse team that supports an advanced radar capability. She has a long standing interest in aerospace, having studied engineering at school as well as being a member of an RAF Air Cadet Squadron in Edinburgh, before studying a degree in Computer Science and Electronics at the University of Edinburgh. At school, Joanna was one of just 10 students studying engineering and since then she has had a passion to make a contribution to increasing the diversity of the engineering community. Joanna is an active STEM committee member organising multiple events for school children of all ages across Edinburgh. These have included the EDT Gold and Bronze Industrial Cadets programme, careers talks at local schools, and a glider building activity for International Women in Engineering Day.
Yolande Young, CISO at Bupa Global & UKm commented:
“Technology is at the heart of everything we do, so we’re really pleased to see so many impressive finalists from across the technology sector. Recognising the achievements of these women through the everywoman in Technology Awards is so important, not only to shine a light on their accomplishments but to inspire others. That’s why we’re passionate about supporting women through every element of their technology career to unleash their full potential, push boundaries and be credited for their successes. Well done to every applicant and good luck to the finalists!”
With this year’s theme ‘Empower. Transform. Thrive.’, the 2024 Bupa everywoman in Technology Awards ceremony and dinner will take place at The Park Plaza in London on 14 March 2024, after the annual everywoman in Technology Forum.
To book your place at the awards ceremony and find more information visit www.everywoman.com/techawards.
