To kick off our International Women’s Day 2026 spotlight series, we are starting at the top to discuss the vital role of leadership in driving change. Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing the stories of the women who power Nimble, but to build a truly inclusive industry, allyship must move beyond words and into measurable action. Today, we sat down with Nimble’s CEO, Matt Carroll, to discuss why diversity is a business imperative and how we can widen the funnel for the next generation of women in tech.
Matt’s approach to leadership is rooted in a simple truth: diverse teams deliver bigger impacts. From his early days in global consultancies to leading Nimble today, he has seen firsthand how a variety of perspectives – across gender, social mobility, and neurodiversity – is the only way to truly challenge the status quo.
Q: As a leader and an ally, what does International Women’s Day signify for you?
Matt: It’s primarily an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges women face in our industry and, more importantly, to discuss how we solve them. I see it as a two-part challenge: attraction and retention.
We have to start much earlier – at the school level – to make young women aware of the breadth of roles in technology. But once they are in the industry, we have to support them so they stay. A major part of that is visibility. If you don’t see women in senior leadership, there’s a perception that there is a ceiling. International Women’s Day is a reminder to ensure we are actively creating those pathways to the top.
Q: You’ve mentioned that diversity of thinking leads to better outcomes. Have you seen this play out in real-time?
Matt: Absolutely. The research is clear, and I’ve observed it myself throughout my career: the diversity of thinking in a team directly correlates to the quality of the solution.
When you have a diverse team – not just in terms of gender, but also social mobility and minority groups – you get a much broader range of ideas. I’ve worked with brilliant female tech leaders and career-changers who have excelled when given the platform. These teams don’t just deliver projects; they make a real impact on society and local communities. My successes have generally been because I’ve built teams that weren’t afraid to challenge my own perceptions.
Q: How do you transition from being a “supporter” of women in tech to being an active “ally”?
Matt: Allyship is about action over words. At Nimble, that looks like providing platforms – like this spotlight series – and ensuring our people have a voice on the external stage, whether that’s speaking on panels or building their networks at industry events. This enables them to build their own followship.
It also comes down to investment. Historically, when holding a budget, I make sure we allocate funds to activities that support inclusivity. It’s about creating an environment where people feel seen and heard, not just within Nimble, but in the wider tech ecosystem.
Q: You’ve talked about the importance of mentoring. How has that shaped your own journey?
Matt: I’ve had several mentors throughout my career, and I’m a firm believer that your mentors should be as diverse as your team. I’ve had both male and female leaders mentor me, and I recently set up reverse mentoring.
Reverse mentoring is incredibly valuable – it allows senior leaders to get a different perspective from those who are earlier in their careers or have different lived experiences. If you don’t have a female leader directly above you, seek out a mentor who can provide that visibility. My goal is to make sure those schemes are accessible to everyone at Nimble.
Q: Looking toward the end of 2026, what does “success” look like for Nimble’s culture?
Matt: Success isn’t just a percentage on a spreadsheet. It’s about our impact on our local communities in Manchester, Sheffield, and Leeds. We are in some of the fastest-growing tech cities in the UK, yet the talent pool is still not representative of the people who live there.
I want Nimble to be a leader in “giving back.” I’d love to see us working with our clients and partners to go into local schools, drive awareness, and measurably increase the likelihood of young women choosing a career in tech. If we grow the talent pool collectively, the whole region benefits.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to someone considering a career in tech but feeling like “it’s not for them,” what would it be?
Matt: I would tell them that technology – especially with the evolution of AI – is the greatest tool we have for creating a better, more purposeful society.
Whether you are a data specialist, a technologist or a product manager, getting into this space allows you to solve real-world problems, from personalising education to improving healthcare for citizens, to more broadly providing a better user experience for consumers. If you want a career with a positive impact on the world, there is a wealth of roles in tech waiting for you.
Leadership That Drives Real Change
As we launch our International Women’s Day 2026 spotlight series, Matt’s perspective reinforces a clear message: diversity is not a “nice to have.” It is fundamental to building better products, stronger teams and a more inclusive tech ecosystem. From investing in mentorship and reverse mentoring to widening access at a grassroots level, meaningful allyship is measured by the opportunities we create and the voices we amplify.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing the stories of the women who power Nimble – their journeys, their challenges and the impact they’re making every day. Because real progress happens when visibility meets action, and when leadership is matched by accountability.
