As part of Women in Tech Week 2025, we are taking the conversation to one of the UK’s most influential policy platforms – the House of Commons.
Sponsored by Samantha Niblett MP, this session confronts the systemic barriers that continue to exclude women and underrepresented groups from thriving tech careers and challenges the cost of doing nothing.
The event will open with remarks from Samantha Niblett MP, followed by Karen Blake who will set the scene for the focus of the event, before moving into a dynamic panel discussion chaired by Dr Vanessa Vallely OBE, CEO & Founder, WeAreTechWomen.
Our panel brings together leading experts from policy, business, and advocacy:
- Angela Matthews, Director of Public Policy and Research, Business Disability Forum
- Amy Low, CEO, AbilityNet
- Cressida Stephenson, CEO & Founder, EdenChase Associates
- Karen Blake, Co-author of the Lovelace Report and a leading voice on digital inclusion and policy
At the heart of this conversation is a workforce in transition. By 2030, over half of the UK workforce will be aged 50+, with a greater likelihood of disability or neurodivergence. At the same time, the tech talent pipeline is under pressure as too few young people enter the sector. Combined with the “broken rung” of career progression, this leaves a £2–3.5 billion annual gap in lost productivity and potential, as highlighted by the Lovelace Report.
This panel will explore:
- The Cost of Inaction – Why ignoring systemic exclusion is not neutral, but economically damaging.
- Frameworks & Accountability – How to move beyond ad hoc initiatives towards measurable, long-term change.
- Closed Doors & Culture – What freelancing trends reveal about workplace accessibility and belonging.
- Ageing Workforce & Future Skills – How to retain, retrain and support an older, more diverse workforce while building a stronger pipeline of young talent.
- Inclusive Career Models – Rethinking linear progression in favour of flexible, skills-based pathways that work for everyone.
This session bridges research, lived experience, and government ambition, creating a call to action for policymakers, business leaders, and advocates to rewire the tech pipeline for the future.
Join us to shape a blueprint for inclusive tech careers, hear fresh perspectives, and ignite a national conversation about the future of work.