TechWorks has launched Women in TechWorks, a member-led initiative designed to address the under-representation of women in the UK’s technology sector and support their development at all stages of their careers.

The ongoing challenge of boosting gender diversity within the technology workforce is widely recognised, and TechWorks’ new initiative aims to create greater awareness, celebrate achievements, support advancement, and provide resources for women working across the technology landscape.

Leveraging its network of technology-focused communities, TechWorks will use Women in TechWorks to champion the recruitment and retention of women in technology and engineering. The programme is structured around several key objectives, including promoting the achievements of women, publicising career opportunities, and accelerating professional progression for women in a broad array of technical, functional, business, and leadership roles.

Importantly, Women in TechWorks has emphasised that supporting women in technology involves more than attracting new female talent. Retaining experienced professionals is also a core focus, with mentoring, professional networking, and tailored programmes planned for women at various stages of their careers.

Jillian Hughes, Head of Semiconductors at TechWorks and co-founder of the initiative, reflected this collaborative approach:

Women in TechWorks is not just for women-men are needed to support its goals. Real progress will come as we work together to grow and strengthen the sector for all participants.

The initiative’s inclusive philosophy extends to its content offerings, such as TechTalks and career promotion activities, which will be publicly accessible. More targeted career development and support opportunities will be reserved for members from TechWorks’ Connected-Communities: AESIN, DESN, IoTSF, NMI, and TechWorks-AI. These communities cover areas including semiconductors, embedded systems, cybersecurity, and advanced computing and artificial intelligence.

Community perspectives

Support for Women in TechWorks comes from various industry stakeholders and practitioners. Jen Walls, Chief Executive Officer at Clas-Sic Wafer Fab, spoke of the inspiration she hopes the programme will foster:

I hope by being involved in Woman in TechWorks, I can help inspire the next generation of females into semiconductors. I continue to have an amazing career in a sector that has given me amazing opportunities, I would love other females to experience and grow in the sector as I have.

Jon Michaels, Director at microTECH, a founding sponsor of the initiative, highlighted the need for visibility and role models in the industry:

We need to create more role models and bring more women into tech so that younger generations have someone to look up to and be inspired, because of this and many more reasons we at microTECH are proud to partner with Women in TechWorks.

Madhuparna Datta, Application Engineering Director at Cadence and UKESF Board Trustee, discussed the deeper impact of creating a supportive community:

Being part of Women in TechWorks means belonging to a community where voices, ideas, and ambitions are amplified. For me, it’s not just about representation – it’s about creating pathways, breaking barriers, and making sure the next generation of women in tech sees possibility, not limitation. It matters because when women thrive in technology, innovation thrives with us.

Elizabeth Smithies, Senior Quality Lab Manager at Nexperia, shared her personal motivation for joining:

Women in TechWorks matters because it’s real support for women in tech – not just the ones who’ve had mentors or formal training, but also those like me who’ve had to figure it out alone. I want to be part of it because I’ve lived that journey, and I know how valuable it is to hear from someone who’s been through it without a roadmap. I believe sharing that experience and supporting other women can help them feel seen and know they’re not the only ones trying to find their way.

Claire Mackay, Business Development Manager at Jaltek, also underlined the initiative’s broader aim:

I’m a part of Women in TechWorks because my experience, skills, voice and presence matter – not just for my own growth, but for helping to shape a more balanced future where tech works for everyone

Sector collaboration

By supporting activities and engagement across areas such as mentoring and career development, TechWorks emphasises that both individual and collective efforts are required to address gender imbalance in UK technology sectors. Women in TechWorks intends to drive change by fostering collaboration among professionals and creating a platform for increased representation and access.