Manchester Digital welcomed more than 160 women, non-binary people and allies to HOME Manchester on Tuesday, February 3 to come together and listen to an inspiring day, with the theme of driving diversity and spotlighting inclusion. With women making up around only a quarter of the tech workforce, events like this are vital for empowering women and laying the foundations for supporting them through their whole career path.
This was yet another truly uplifting day for women and allies, coming together to listen to a range of talks, panel discussions and inspirational stories. As a minority within the tech ecosystem, these gatherings are immensely important for women in tech and young women who are thinking about joining the tech industry to help them make the most of their careers and grow their confidence.
With huge thanks to our Digital Her Day sponsors: AJ Bell, BAE Systems, ICO and Lloyds Banking Group. 
Keynote talk: Funding the Underfunded
Jordan Sullivan, Head of Economic Policy, The Startup Coalition
The opening talk by Jordan Sullivan, Head of Economic Policy at Startup Coalition talked us through a number of reports that they have put together, covering gender, ethnic diversity and class diversity within the tech industry.
Jordan explained, “Improving diversity within the sector is about developing untapped growth potential. People want to build companies but because of systemic disadvantage they don’t have the same opportunities. If we can unlock this access, it would be great for the UK economy.”
Some of the shocking statistics that Jordan shared included:
- 46% of all UK funding goes to London-based startups
- And it has 60% of total UK’s investment value
- Ethnic minorities make up 40% of the London population but only 1.6% of funding goes to black founders.
- And only 0.03% of funding goes to black female founders
He added, “There is plenty of ambition from people to be founders. It’s not a pipeline problem, it’s a structural issue. We need to look at who actually gets to build the future and we need them to be from the broadest backgrounds possible.”
Panel talk: Building neurodiversity social mobility, and inclusive workplaces in tech
Sponsored by BAE Systems
This panel was hosted by Emma Grant, Head of Programmes at Manchester Digital and panellists included Harriet; Software engineer, digital intelligence, BAE Systems
Kirstie, business change lead, NXGenDigital, BAE Systems and Rebecca, Recruitment Delivery Manager, BAE Systems.
The panel talked through the different ways that business can build inclusiveness, which includes mentorship, support and community networks, and supporting people with neurodiversity.
Rebecca explained “At BAE, we have voluntary connection groups which offer support to employees and have a community network feel. There are different groups for women, disabled people, LGBTQ+, for example. All employees are actively encouraged to join in and they are heavily sponsored by senior leaders.”
Kirstie said, “It’s also really important to us that neurodivergence is supported, we give them project management stretch objectives, as well as a range of toolset and HR support. Diversity is key to being successful.”
Harriet added, “Businesses need to adapt their culture, rather than expect everyone to fit within their culture.”
In Conversation: Finding your voice as a woman in Tech: An unfiltered conversation
Sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group
This session was a wonderfully honest straight-talking conversation about building a career in tech on your terms with Suzanne Ellison, Enterprise Product Director at Lloyds and Tasneem Bhamji, Digital Engagement Director at Lloyds. Both have worked for Lloyds Banking Group in different roles for some time, as well as both having a really varied career path.
Both Suzanne and Tas shared their experiences of growing up in a working class family - Suzanne in Manchester and Tas in Birmingham. They also shared experiences of what it’s like to work as a young woman in a male dominated environment, and importantly how they found their confidence and self-belief.
Tas talked about how important it is to be intentional - both with your words, your communication and your career overall. She said, “There can be a mentality of having to play small, but remember that you have a personal brand whether you know it or not. People will have their own story about you, whether it’s your truth or not. However, you can claim your own narrative and your own story.”
Suzanne also said, “Once I looked into personal branding and being purposeful with my career and I started doing public speaking, it really increased my confidence. AI is a tricky topic to talk about, but I realised that I can sit on panels and can translate AI into more simple, plain English, which people really appreciated. Building my own profile on LinkedIn and doing external speaking engagements has helped me build my confidence and develop my career massively.”
Sponsored by AJ Bell
This panel was hosted by Danni Hewson, Head of Financial Analysis at AJ Bell, with guests Toyosi Awofisoye, Agile Coach at AJ Bell; Vicki Smith, Origination Director at SF Technology and Clare Simpson, data analytics specialist and founder Sarvas Health, a healtech startup.
The panel shared their career paths and overall everyone said how important it was to have a mentor or a champion to assure you that you can do it, and just to keep working at it.
Clare talked about her experiences with fertility treatment and dealing with it within the workplace, and how that journey impacted her mission as a female founder within women’s health. She said, “I always had to fight harder for my voice to be heard as a woman in leadership.
Research has found that businesses with at least one female founder tend to be more successful in all measures, so the more people who recognise this the better.”
Toyosi talked about how her brother has also changed career paths into tech, which provided guidance and inspiration for her. In terms of advice, she said: “Once you start, the rest is going to be ok, just take the first step and take it from there. We all need one person to believe in us and to be that voice to bounce ideas and thoughts off.”
Vicki described her career path in a male-dominated tech recruitment and how she grew her confidence as a young woman, saying, “Now I have the experience to work with women to help them grow their confidence and get them out of their comfort zone. Without a mentor, I wouldn’t be where I am.”
If you’re interested in a career in tech at AJ Bell, click here.
Panel - Inclusive workplaces
Sponsored by ICO
This panel was hosted by Kate Wilson, Head of Membership & Community at Manchester Digital and she was joined by: Amber Tither, Inclusion and Wellbeing Manager at ICO; Hannah Smith, Senior User Centred Design Manager at ICO and Fey Ijaware, Senior Front-End Developer, at DWP Digital.
This discussion centred around how important inclusive workplaces are to get the best out of people and to create a healthy workplace.
Fey said, “Working in an inclusive environment means being respected and equal access to opportunity for all. I am a homeworker, a workplace adjustment made due to health reasons.
“It’s important to remember, we’re building products for everyone, but when not everyone is in the room then it makes it hard.”
Amber added, “It’s so important for people to feel supported and heard. In larger companies, you get the manager lottery, which is difficult as it’s not always the entire organisation that has issues. Listening and understanding is really important for every manager.”
Hannah talked about how she felt supported when she moved to part-time hours in order to help be a carer for her mum. “Having a flexible work policy was great, because I never felt judged for being part-time. Being part-time doesn’t always mean you have less work to do either, it just means you have less time to do it in.”
When asked for one single piece of advice, all three panellist had some great words to inspire:
Fey said: “Be audacious. Have the audacity, you have nothing to lose.”
Hannah said: “Listen and observe, hear how things happen in practice.”
Amber said: “Create a safe speak-up culture, which helps people to bring their whole self to work.”
Kanika Selvan, Founder - Beetroot Consulting
Lastly, we were treated to an energetic, unapologetic keynote by technical change leader Kanika Selvan, founder of Beetroot Consulting, the UK’s only Black woman-led tech change consultancy. Beetroot Consulting works with public and private sector organisations, particularly those who care about the social impact of the technology they’re building or changing.
Kanika closed the day with a fast-paced, interactive keynote that blended theatre with straight-talking lessons on sustainable, inclusively designed tech organisations. With some excellent jacket changes to demonstrate her points, Kanika and her brilliant team gave us a brief insight into their fast-growing consultancy and how they work. She spoke about how they have high levels of accountability, how it’s important to balance delivery with good vibes and truth-telling. Her mic-drop summary: “Start with inclusion, anchor it in reality…margaritas after.”
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Our next event is a Tech Leader Talks panel for International Women’s Day on March 5.
The panel will explore what responsible leadership looks like in an AI era - from making ethical decisions at speed and building trust in intelligent systems, to empowering teams while remaining accountable for impact. The conversation also will reflect on the importance of diverse leadership in shaping technology that works for people, organisations and society.
Sign up here:
