Finalists Announced for the 7th Women in Tech Awards 2026

The Women in Tech Awards proudly announces the finalists for its 7th annual awards, celebrating the remarkable women, innovators, leaders and changemakers helping to shape the future of technology.

Now in its seventh year, the Women in Tech Awards continues to provide an important national platform to recognise achievement, increase visibility and celebrate the diverse talent making an impact across the technology sector.

This year’s theme, #WomenShapingTech, reflects exactly what the awards stand for: recognising women who are not simply working within technology, but actively influencing its direction, transforming organisations, creating new solutions, inspiring others and helping build a stronger and more inclusive future for the industry.

The 2026 finalists represent an exciting breadth of talent across academia, artificial intelligence, cyber security, digital transformation, innovation, entrepreneurship, project delivery, technology for good and many other areas of the sector.

Reaching the finalist stage is an achievement in itself, and we congratulate every individual recognised this year.

We now look forward to bringing the Women in Tech community together and celebrating with all of our finalists on 3rd October 2026 for what promises to be another memorable evening of recognition, inspiration and celebration.

Thank You to Our Sponsors
The Women in Tech Awards would not be possible without the organisations that share our commitment to recognising, supporting and championing women across the technology sector.
We would like to extend a special thank you to our Headline Sponsor, Birmingham City University, for supporting the 7th Women in Tech Awards.
We are also incredibly grateful to our supporting sponsors:
SCC
NTT DATA
Millennium Point
Their support enables us to continue creating a platform that gives talented women the recognition and visibility they deserve.

Public Voting Is Now Open
The public vote is now open, giving everyone the opportunity to show their love and support for their favourite finalists.

Whether you are supporting a colleague, friend, industry leader, innovator or organisation that has inspired you, this is your chance to get behind them and celebrate their achievement in reaching the finals of the 7th Women in Tech Awards.

Cast your vote via our website: www.womenintechawards.co.uk
Every vote is a fantastic show of support for the incredible women and organisations helping to shape the future of technology.
Show your support. Celebrate your favourites. Cast your vote.

Women in Tech Awards 2026 Finalists
Academic Award
Armin Mustafa — CVSSP, University of Surrey; Department of Science, Innovation and Technology; and SAIReco Ltd
Halima Bhayat — Ursuline High School
Laura Hutchings — University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Lulu Liu — University of Birmingham
Phillipa Peart — CLARITYPENNY LTD
Roushanak Rahmat — HCLTech
Roya Rahimi — University of Wolverhampton
Ziyun Ding — University of Birmingham

AI Champion of the Year
Anthonette Adanyin — Ofqual
Dionne Gordon — Correla Ltd
Ene Anyogo — Product of Agency
Isabella Grandi — NTT DATA Inc UKI
Kateryna Korotieieva — GlobalLogic
Katie Milne — IBM
Kirstine Dale — Met Office
Laura Scavino — NTT DATA Inc UK&I
Lisa Turner — CETfreedom
Mini Biswas — Cisilion
Rohini Gupta — FinregE
Tamanna Haque — Jaguar Land Rover

Apprentice Award
Anushka Dare — JP Morgan
Jessica Nicholls — IBM
Katie Albon — MBDA Missile Systems UK
Rachel Sadiq — Google

Best Use of Tech in a Public Sector Project Award
Fatimah Bamisedun — ANRE Solutions Ltd
Gelareh Holbrook — North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA)
Kavita Mutyala — NTT DATA UKI
Nic Bellingham — Met Office
Sheryll Ricketts — Littlepay
Siti Fariya — Centre for Sustainable Road Freight (CSRF) at Heriot-Watt University
Tove Gant — Sense-IT

Digital Transformation Champion of the Year
Disha Mukherjee — Ford Credit Europe
Jennifer Hirst — NTT DATA Inc UK&I
Kat Cooke — SCC
Kate Whyles — Nottingham College
Kay Church — Met Office
Lucy Fish — The AA
Mariaje (Maria) Crespo — NTT DATA Inc UKI
Rebecca Llewellyn — NHS England
Rhiannon Lawson — Rhiannon Lawson 7
Shabnam Raja — Cognizant Worldwide Limited
Svetlana Tsvetkova — Drax Group
Zaitoon Bukhari — Achievement Through Collaboration Trust

Inclusive Tech Champion Award
Amandip Jheeta — NTT DATA Inc UK&I
Azahara Corrales — Azahara Corrales
Claire Mironik — WITBHAM Women in Tech UK / Aston University
Fatimah Bamisedun — ANRE Solutions Ltd
Fehintoluwa Dada — Independent Inclusive Technology Projects
Isabella Grandi — NTT DATA UK&I
Karen Fairhurst — NTT DATA Inc UK&I
Lauren Monks — IN4 Group
Olivia Ferro — SheMed
Shavana Peynado — AND Digital

Innovator Award
Avantika Bhargava — Kahawa Roots UK LTD
Claire Downes — Virtual Decisions
Emma Armstrong — Empro Busines Group LTD
Harper ZHU — Kotoko AI
Helena Coombs — Arup
Juliana Smith — Zure
Kiran Gulia — University of Wolverhampton
Rajni Sharma — NTT DATA UKI
Tiffany Kertesz — welvow
Uliana Salo — Thedogs LTD
Vaishnavi Veer — Financial Education Crew Ltd
Yunjia Guo — Kotoko AI

Knowledge Exchange Professional of the Year
Chynna Pascual — Aston University
Jan Hughes — AICPA CIMA
Karan Kaur Jutlla — University of Wolverhampton
Roya Rahimi — University of Wolverhampton
Samridhi Anand — Samridhi Anand
Sharon Cox — Birmingham City University

Mentor of the Year
Abigail Worrell — NTT DATA UKI
Ishita Palit — Vodafone
Jaskaran Soomal — A Mindful Message Ltd
Jude Statham — Exemplas
Natalia Gomez Fernandez — Rakuten Advertising | The Metrics Lab
Vikki Szymanski — Vikki Szymanski

Project Delivery Lead Award
Catherine Turrell — NTT DATA Inc UKI
Charalampia Komopoulou — Red Hat
Clair Bennett — NTT DATA Inc UK&I
Clare Esler — Arup
Imogen Stevens — Met Office
Katarina Rohweder — NTT DATA Inc UK&I
Michele Jacobs — Castle Trust Bank
Natalie Whitaker — NTT DATA Inc UK&I
Naz Ghader-Pour — NTT DATA UKI
Robeela Ali — NTT DATA Inc UK&I
Sarah Sliwka — Red Hat
Sinead Cavanagh — TXO

Rising Star Award
Alex Thompson — Orbital IAM
Asia Tillotson — Moorhouse Consulting
Chanisse Price — ZAIZI
Clare Clegg — SCC
Darcey Brough-Mylod — Aspect Capital Limited
Jayanthi Selvaraj — NTT DATA Inc UKI
Kelsey McGrath — Wise Ltd
Maha Javed — VISA Inc.
Meera Tamboli — Meera Tamboli
Reetika Bhattacharjee — NTT DATA Inc UK&I
Shelby Taylor — Liberty Blume, a Liberty Global company
Sian Thomas — Wolverine Worldwide

Shining Star Award
Anupama Hatti — NHS Blood and Transplant
Cherry Leay Sumugat — NTT DATA
Christina Kyriakidou — Red Hat
Ellis Grange — Arup
Emer Bradley — CMap Software Limited
Gemma Mills — Namos Solutions
Jane Holmes — NTT DATA UK&I
Kseniia Korostelova — Kseniia Korostelova
Laura Bint — Babble Cloud
Maria Nugroho — SAP
Meena Murali — NTT DATA Inc UK&I
Sarah Peck — Indeed Flex

Start-Up Founder Award
Benazir Kamali — Nova Books Ltd
Francesca Roberts — WayPaths and The Coders Guild
Hanna Latif-Walmsley — We Are Laika
Heera Rehman — WorldTone AI
Jenny Winspear — Bridgit Pay
Jessica Shuker — The Retrofit Exchange
Katy Murray — Rewired
Michelle Coombs — Oprising Ltd
Mitali Deypurkaystha — Seneca Systems Ltd
Natasha Allden — Multiply Technology Ltd
Sana Fatima Sayyed — Techare Ltd
Torty Sivill — Decima2

Tech Entrepreneur Award
Anne Morris — Peerscroller (Yipiyap)
Gabrielle Crofts — B13
Hanna Roos — Aavalynx
Helen Thiel — Veran Performance
Lena Chauhan — Rise IQ
Rose Lord — My Best Mood
Sonu Bubna — AskStatement.com
Vaishnavi Veer — Financial Education Crew Ltd

Tech For Good Award
Aleks House — Leeds City College
Amy Church — Cyber Dave Ltd
Claire Downes — Virtual Decisions
Eleni Lialiamou — Kimolian Academy Limited
Katy Murray — Rewired
Kloe Avon — Redihomes
Krittika DSilva — International Rescue Committee
Omotoke Ajidagba — 10mg Health
Ozohu Adejumo — Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Roya Rahimi — University of Wolverhampton
Ruth Hopkins — K’antu Ensemble
Fatimah Bamisedun — ANRE Solutions Ltd

Tech Professional Award (Non-Coding)
Alex Shaw — Acorn Insurance
Alison Eyo — PicsArt
Averi Pal — London Stock Exchange Group
Cristina Sabau — The National Heart Clinic
Dawn Emmerton — Mitie Waste and Environmental
Jane Holmes — NTT DATA
Katie Bennett — Met Office
Kelly Paterson — Serco
Olivia Rodrigues — Donhead Preparatory School
Shilpa Gopikrishna — SURE SOLUTIONS
Sinead Cavanagh — TXO
Thulasi Bomma — Tesco

Woman in Cyber Security Award
Afshan Sheikh — Cyber Chain Alliance Ltd
Anne Leslie — IBM
Ayesha Abdul Majeed — BT Group
Behnaz Karimi — OWASP AI Exchange
Faidah Oki — BT
Hannah Bailey-Neale — Organisation not provided
Kiranjit Kaur Shergill — Barclays
Louise Hinchey — Computacenter
Sam Faulkner — NTT DATA Inc UK&I
Sravya Betina — Barclays
Tannu Jiwnani — Microsoft
Victoria Coker — Lateral Connect

Celebrating #WomenShapingTech
The Women in Tech Awards has always been about more than trophies. It is about visibility, representation and recognition.

Every finalist has a story. Every finalist represents what is possible when women are given the opportunity to lead, innovate, create and make an impact through technology.

As we enter our seventh year, we remain committed to shining a spotlight on the women making a difference today while helping inspire the women and girls who will shape technology tomorrow.

To every finalist: congratulations on this fantastic achievement.
We look forward to welcoming you and celebrating together on 3rd October 2026.

#WomenShapingTech #WITA26

Nominations Now Open – 7th Women in Tech Awards 2026

Nominations are now open for the B Events – 7th Women in Tech Awards, taking place on 3rd October 2026.

Established as one of the UK’s leading platforms celebrating women in technology, the Women in Tech Awards recognise the innovators, leaders, founders, advocates and rising talent who are shaping the future of tech and driving meaningful change across industries.

Since their inception, the awards have played a crucial role in amplifying underrepresented voices, accelerating careers and inspiring the next generation of women to pursue and thrive in technology. From start-ups and scale-ups to corporates, public services and academia, the awards celebrate excellence, impact and leadership across the tech ecosystem.

The 2026 theme #WomenShapingTech – Women in Tech Awards 2026
Technology is shaping every part of our lives – yet the voices shaping that future are still not equally represented.

#WomenShapingTech is the 2026 campaign for the Women in Tech Awards, celebrating women who are actively leading, designing and transforming technology across the UK. This is about more than participation – it’s about influence, impact and leadership.

Women are driving ethical AI, digital transformation, sustainability and inclusive innovation. They are building technology that works for society, shaping cultures as well as code.

The Women in Tech Awards 2026 shine a spotlight on those building the future now – and ensuring technology reflects the world it serves.

Nominations are now open.
Help us recognise the women shaping tech today.

Nominate Here NOW!

#WomenShapingTech | #WITA26

Women in Tech Awards 2025 Winners: Celebrating Trailblazers Shaping #TechHerFuture

The B Events Women in Tech Awards 2025 lit up the prestigious Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on Monday 8th September, bringing together trailblazing women from across the tech sector for an unforgettable evening of celebration, recognition, and inspiration.

The atmosphere in the room was electric, with finalists, winners, sponsors, and supporters united by the power of recognition and the shared mission of driving forward a gender-balanced tech industry. The evening not only highlighted remarkable achievements but also showcased the camaraderie and encouragement women give one another within the sector.

The event was wonderfully hosted by Amandip Jheeta, who delivered the proceedings with charisma and warmth. Amandip’s journey with the Awards is truly unique, having been a Shining Star Award winner in 2019, a dedicated judge for the past four years, and now stepping into the role of host. Amandip’s unwavering advocacy for women in tech has been instrumental in building the legacy of these Awards.

Guests were also treated to an inspiring keynote from Jo Birch, previous winner of the Special Recognition Award. Jo’s words resonated deeply with the audience, perfectly aligning with the evening’s theme #TechHerFuture

B Events extends heartfelt thanks to its headline sponsor, Birmingham City University, who have been steadfast champions of the Awards since their inception, as well as to our supporting sponsors SCC, NTT DATA, Pyvital, IWD Conference & Expo, and B Events Media. Their commitment makes these Awards possible, enabling us to shine a spotlight on women breaking barriers in tech.

This year, the Awards embraced the themed hashtag #TechHerFuture, which resonated strongly on the night. The theme underscores the importance of shaping an inclusive and innovative future led by women in technology, and, together with the event hashtag #WITA25, it captured the conversation, energy, and legacy of the evening across social platforms.

True to its motto of “Events That Matter”, B Events once again proved that these Awards are more than just a ceremony, they are a movement. The stories shared, achievements celebrated, and networks strengthened on the night will continue to inspire and create opportunities for years to come.

SEE ALL THE OFFICIAL PICS HERE: https://tinyurl.com/WITAwards25

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the Women in Tech Awards 2025:

Academic Award – Ruchi Gupta, University of Birmingham

AI Champion of the Year – Rohini Gupta, FinregE

Apprentice Award – Ria Chutti, Microsoft

Best Use of Tech in a Public Sector Project Award – Rachel Farrer, Coventry University

Digital Transformation Champion of the Year – Cristina Sabau, The National Heart Clinic

Innovator Award – Amber Hill, Research Grid

Knowledge Exchange Professional of the Year – Sharon Cox, Birmingham City University

Project Delivery Lead Award – Alex Curtis, Arup

Rising Star Award – Anushka Malhotra, TechWM (Birmingham Tech CIC)

Shining Star Award – Lisa Matthews, KETS Quantum Security

Start-Up Founder Award – Vaishnavi Veer, Financial Education Crew

Tech Entrepreneur Award – Kerry Boland, The Growth Coaching Collective

Tech For Good Award – Claire Downes, Virtual Decisions

Tech Professional Award (Non-Coding) – Sammy White, Genio

Sustainability Champion of the Year – Anu Mishra, NTT Data

The Women in Tech Awards 2025 marked yet another milestone in celebrating the vital role of women in shaping the digital future. With such phenomenal talent and leadership showcased, the future of tech has never looked brighter.

Women in Tech Awards Announces Esteemed Judging Panel for 6th Annual Celebration

The Women in Tech Awards is proud to announce the judging panel for its 6th annual celebration, bringing together some of the most respected and influential leaders from across the technology, business, and innovation sectors.

For the past six years, the Women in Tech Awards has been an integral part of the technology community, shining a spotlight on the incredible achievements of women who are making significant contributions to the industry. These awards not only celebrate excellence but also inspire future generations to pursue careers in technology.

The integrity of the awards depends on the careful, independent scrutiny of our judges. Without their dedication, expertise, and impartial decision-making, it would be impossible to maintain the high standards for which the Women in Tech Awards is known. Our stringent judging process ensures that every finalist is assessed fairly and thoroughly, making the role of our judges both crucial and challenging.

We extend our  thanks to our judges for their time, commitment, and unwavering support in helping us reach the right decisions.

This year’s judging panel includes:

Amandip Jheeta – Salesforce Alliances Leader and Women in Alliances Leader, NTT Data
Anitha Chinnaswamy – Deputy Director, Aston Business School – Cyber Security Innovation Centre
Elizabeth Gooch MBE – Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Tech Growth Factory
Iain Mansell – Head of Regional Engagement, Connected Places Catapult
Joanna Birch – Managing Consultant/Director, GROWTHINNK Associates
Katharine Fuller – Chief Operating Officer, Tech WM
Lalita Taylor – Chief Executive Officer, We Job Box
Leanne Perry – Director, Pyvital
Lisa Ventura – Founder, Cyber Security Unity
Professor Dr. Jagdev Bhogal – Professor, Birmingham City University
Qasim Majid – Chief Executive Officer, Wow Group of Companies
Reena Sidhu – Commercial Enterprise Lead, Health Innovation West Midlands

Further information about each of our judges can be found Here

The Women in Tech Awards 2025 ceremony will take place on 8 September 2025 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham. Have you booked on to secure your attendance?

BOOK HERE

#WITAwards25 #TechHerFuture

Finalists Announced for the 2025 Women in Tech Awards

#WITAwards25 #TechHerFuture

We are thrilled to announce the finalists for the 6th annual Women in Tech Awards 2025! Once again, the quality and volume of nominations have been exceptional, highlighting the depth of talent, creativity, and impact being made by women across the tech industry.

Every nomination told a story of resilience, innovation, and leadership, making it no easy task for the judges. This year’s finalists represent those who are challenging the status quo, building solutions, and driving real change through technology.

The Women in Tech Awards are more than a celebration, they are a movement for equality, visibility, and empowerment. These awards shine a spotlight on inspiring women in the sector, encouraging others to explore the world of technology and build rewarding careers in an ever-evolving industry.

In a landscape where only 17% of tech professionals in the UK are women and just 3% of young women consider tech as their first career choice, these stories matter. Representation and recognition are key to shaping a more inclusive and innovative future.

We are proud to have Birmingham City University as our headline sponsor, with continued support from our valued sponsors and partners: NTT Data, SCC, and Pyvital. Their commitment to diversity, innovation, and the advancement of women in tech has been crucial in bringing this platform to life.

This year, we’ll be recognising excellence across 14 categories, each celebrating the outstanding contributions and achievements of women leading in tech today.

📅 Awards Ceremony: 8th September 2025

📍 Birmingham Eastside Rooms

🎟️ Ticket line is now OPEN – come along and support the incredible women shaping the future of tech!

VOTING LINES ARE NOW OPEN – visit our website www.womenintechawards.co.uk to vote for your favourites.

See Full list of 2025 Finalists

 

 ACADEMIC AWARD

* Anastasia Rousaki – University of Manchester

* Asherah Rose – Training Academy CIC

* Ashionye Aninze – Birmingham City University

* Claire Inglis – University of Cumbria

* Ismini Vasileiou – De Montfort University

* Kanwal Rauf – University College Birmingham

* Ruchi Gupta – University of Birmingham

* Sabah Suhail – Queen’s University Belfast

* Safia Barikzai – School of Computer Sciences and Digital Technology

* Tayla Beacall – University of Reading

 

AI CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

* Ashionye Aninze – Ashionye Aninze

* Becki Floyd – Voxpopme

* Maira Ata – Leo RegTech

* Neeththe Inbaraj – Bapon IT Services Ltd

* Rohini Gupta – FinregE

* Sam Hinchcliffe – Finova

 

APPRENTICE AWARD

* Faidah Oki – BT Group

* Holly Evans – Lloyds Banking

* Khadijah Bi – Heales Medical

* Megan Clark – MBDA

* Phoebe Farrelly – PwC UK

* Ria Chutti – Microsoft

* Sophia Bailey – AtkinsRealis

* Tugba Aydin – New Generation Network

 

BEST USE OF TECH IN A PROJECT

* Amy Williams – NTT Data

* Jane Glover – NTT Data

* Joe Bloggs – Glide Student and Residential Ltd

* Manjinder Dhaliwal – NTT Data

* Rachel Farrer – Coventry University

* Rohini Gupta – FinregE

* Sarah Sharpe – Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust IT Dept

 

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

* Cristina Sabau – The National Heart Clinic

* Emma Armstrong – Empro Business Group LTD

* Emma Housden – JLR

* Jaspinder Kaur – NTT Data

* Jen Herbert – Arup

* Karen Newman – BOM

* Melissa Proxenos – Debtrak

* Nikki Drake – QA Higher Education

* Saru Deshwal – Vodafone Ltd

* Svetlana Tsvetkova – Drax Group

 

INNOVATOR AWARD

* Amber Hill – Research Grid

* Ameesha Green – The Book Shelf

* Emma Armstrong – Empro Business

* Fiona Hardie – Arup

* Jaspinder Kaur – NTT Data

* Jayashri Goddanti – Cranfield University & Levidian Nanosystems

* Karen Newman – BOM

* Vaishnavi Veer – Financial Education Crew

 

KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

* Kanwal Rauf – University College Birmingham

* Megan Banks-Jenkins – The DM Lab

* Sharon Cox – Birmingham City University

 

PROJECT DELIVERY LEAD AWARD

* Alex Curtis – Arup

* Alison Cobb – Red Hat

* Ashley Gifford – Glide

* Carol Young – Delta Financial Systems Limited

* Dominique Browne – Voicescape

* Emer Bradley – CMap Software Limited

* Hermie Sanghera – Goldman Sachs

* Mandisa Gordon – Jaguar Land Rover

* Yarshini Kumar – Castle Trust Bank

* Zoya Hassan – KPMG LLP

 

RISING STAR AWARD

* Adanna Davis-Waite – Birmingham Open Media

* Alkim Mete – Microsoft UK

* Anushka Malhotra – TechWM

* Ashionye Aninze

* Aya Elsisy – Goldman Sachs

* Deborah Dada – Tech Meetup Birmingham

* Dr Laura Di Chiacchio – Aston Centre for Cyber Security Innovation

* Juliet Powell – Mercor Intelligence

* Kaylie Wells – IMP Software Limited

* Natalie Maxwell – Glide

* Sahba Naz 

* Sara Isaacs – NTT Data, Inc

 

SHINING STAR AWARD

* Anagha Rao – Goldman Sachs

* Angitha Nair – Jaguar Land Rover

* Claire Copeland – Delta Financial Systems Limited

* Ijeoma Azodo – NHS Education for Scotland

* Joanne Santos – Intercity Technology Limited

* Kelly Boyd – Aviva Plc

* Lisa Matthews – KETS Quantum Security

* Rohini Gupta – FinregE

* Shabna Raja – Cognizant Worldwide Limited

* Sherifat Akintunde-Shitu – Accenture

* Sue Gregory-Phillips – Centrica

* Teena Idnani – Microsoft

 

START-UP FOUNDER AWARD

* Erin-Jane Roodt – Epowar

* Genine Johnson – PointWire

* Jasmine Sayyari – New Generation Network

* Kelly Sheppard – The Structured Data Company

* Rose Lord – Rose Lord Collective Ltd (My Best Mood)

* Vaishnavi Veer – Financial Education Crew

 

TECH ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

* Beckie Taylor – Empower

* Chloe & Olivia Ferro – SheMed

* Elizabeth Rossiello – AZA Finance

* Jin Dhillon – SCC

* Kerry Boland – The Growth Coaching Collective

* Laura Robson – Back Pocket Office

* Tara Lawrence – B13 AI

* Toni Martin – Ascendz

 

TECH FOR GOOD AWARD

* Alison Simpson – SheCanCode

* Claire Downes – Virtual Decisions

* Claire Mironik – Aston University

* Ekta Soni – HCLTech

* Emma Pickering – Refuge UK

* Gabriela Matouskova – Hope 4 The Community CIC

* Louise Latter – BOM

* Luce Bowen – FE Tech

* Obiageli Okafor – PMhelp

* Sharon Oranekwu – Emboldened

* Stephanie Luson – Altia

* Vaishnavi Veer – Financial Education Crew

 

TECH PROFESSIONAL (NON-CODING) AWARD

* Alex Lawson-Matthew – CMap Software Limited

* Amy Sparks – NTT Data UK & I

* Chiara Civardi – Payara Services

* Dorina Mihai – NTT Data

* Jane Holmes – NTT Data UK & I

* Kasia Hayward – Diversity Atlas

* LaTess Bartlet – West Midlands Growth Company

* Nicola Payne – Glide

* Nicola Poulter – NTT Data UK & I

* Rachel Abbott – Hippo Digital

* Sammy White – Genio

* Sue Preston – Hewlett Packard Enterprise

The countdown to 8th September has officially begun—join us to celebrate the women shaping the future of tech.

Tickets are now on sale – don’t miss your chance to be part of it! – www.womenintechawards.co.uk

 

Nominate – Celebrating Exceptional Talent Across the UK Tech Industry

The Women in Tech Awards returns for its 6th year on Monday 8th September 2025, once again shining a national spotlight on the women transforming the UK’s tech landscape. With nominations now open, organisers are urging the public, businesses, and industry leaders to put forward outstanding women making a real impact in technology.

Open to women working across the UK, the awards celebrate achievements at every stage of a tech career — from trailblazing apprentices to experienced leaders driving innovation, delivery, and transformation.

This year’s categories are:

  • Academic Award

  • AI Champion Award

  • Apprentice Award

  • Best Use of Tech In A Private Sector Project Award

  • Best Use of Tech In A Public Sector Project Award

  • Digital Transformation Champion Award

  • Innovator Award

  • Knowledge Exchange Professional Award

  • Project Delivery Lead Award

  • Rising Star Award

  • Shining Star Award

  • Start-Up Founder Award

  • Sustainability Champion Award

  • Tech Entrepreneur Award

  • Tech For Good Award

  • Tech Professional (Non-Coding) Award

Now in its sixth year, the awards were founded with a mission to:

Recognise and Celebrate Achievements – highlighting the contributions of women in tech to promote a gender-balanced workforce.
Inspire Future Generations – encouraging young women to pursue careers in tech through powerful role models.
Promote Inclusivity – ensuring ongoing engagement and representation of women across all areas of the industry.

The 2025 Women in Tech Awards are proudly headline sponsored by Birmingham City University (BCU), with supporting sponsors including SCC, NTT Data, IWD Conference & Expo, and Pyvital. Their support plays a critical role in making these awards possible — from enabling national outreach and an inclusive nomination process, to supporting the production of a ceremony that truly celebrates excellence.

These sponsors are not just financial contributors — they are champions of equality, innovation, and progress.Their backing demonstrates a shared commitment to recognising the vital role women play in shaping the future of the tech industry.

“Sponsorship from values-aligned organisations like BCU, SCC, and others allows us to elevate the voices and achievements of women in tech who might otherwise go unrecognised,” said the organisers. “Their support is helping us build a more inclusive and visible future for the sector.”

While the awards began in the Midlands, the decision to expand nominations nationally reflects the depth of talent and innovation found across the UK.

Despite progress, women still make up just 26% of the tech workforce in the UK. Representation in leadership and technical roles remains disproportionately low, particularly among women from underrepresented backgrounds. Initiatives like the Women in Tech Awards help tackle this imbalance by increasing visibility, championing role models, and encouraging more women into the sector.

The 2025 awards ceremony will be held at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, ensuring the event remains rooted in the region where it began, while embracing its new national vision.

Nominations are now open, and the organisers are calling on employers, colleagues, peers, and supporters to nominate women making a difference — whether that’s through groundbreaking projects, technical brilliance, entrepreneurship, or advocacy.

🔗 Submit your nomination today at: www.womenintechawards.co.uk

#WomenInTech #WITA2025 #TechAwards #CelebrateWomenInTech #DiversityInTech #FutureOfTech #DigitalTransformation #WomenInSTEM #STEMLeadership #InclusionInTech #WITAwards

Birmingham City University Announced as Headline Sponsor for the 6th Annual Women in Tech Awards

The 6th Women in Tech Awards is proud to announce Birmingham City University (BCU) as its official Headline Sponsor for the 2025 ceremony. Having supported the awards since their inception, BCU is now taking its commitment to the next level – placing diversity, inclusion, and innovation at the heart of its mission to champion women in technology.

The ceremony will take place on 8th September 2025 at The Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, and this year’s event promises to be the most impactful yet, marking a milestone in both the awards’ evolution and BCU’s continued investment in future tech talent.

As headline sponsor, BCU’s involvement has helped shape and expand the programme with the introduction of four new national award categories, highlighting the changing landscape of the tech sector and celebrating excellence across a broader range of disciplines:

  • Digital Transformation Champion Award

  • AI Champion Award

  • Knowledge Exchange Professional Award

  • Sustainability Champion Award

With a powerful new theme and hashtag – #TechHerFuture – this year’s awards will spotlight the inspiring achievements of women across the UK who are driving change, innovating with purpose, and shaping the future of the tech industry.

BCU’s headline support reinforces the urgent need to increase the visibility and participation of women in technology and reflects its long-standing commitment to inclusive education, skills development, and industry collaboration.

Nominations are now officially open and welcomed from across the UK. Whether you’re a colleague, mentor, employer, or friend – now is the time to celebrate the women who are making waves in tech.

For more information and to submit a nomination, visit:
👉 https://www.womenintechawards.co.uk/nominate/

Midlands Women in Tech Awards Goes National to Champion Women in Tech Across the UK

The Midlands Women in Tech Awards has been a driving force for change in the tech sector for the past five years, making significant strides toward promoting gender equality and representation in a traditionally male-dominated industry. With a strong foundation built within the Midlands, the awards are now expanding their mission nationwide, opening nominations to recognise women in tech across the UK.

The awards were founded with three core goals:

Recognising and Celebrating Achievements – Highlighting the contributions of women in tech to promote a gender-balanced workforce.
Inspiring Future Generations – Encouraging young women to pursue careers in tech through inspirational role models and initiatives.
Promoting Inclusivity – Ensuring ongoing involvement and engagement of women in tech across industries.
Building a Strong Foundation in the Midlands
Over the years, the Midlands Women in Tech Awards has made significant progress toward these goals. Through impactful awards ceremonies, expos, and roundtable sessions, the initiative has provided platforms for celebrating achievements and encouraging future generations of women to enter the tech industry.

Key Achievements in the Midlands:

✅ Annual awards ceremonies celebrating outstanding women in tech.
✅ Roundtable sessions and expos encouraging dialogue, collaboration, and mentorship within the tech community.
✅ Continued engagement with industry leaders to drive change and opportunity.

Despite these successes, the organisers recognised a growing need to expand their reach. Year after year, nominations have poured in from remarkable women in tech across the UK who could not be considered due to regional restrictions.

Expanding the Mission to a National Level
“While we’ve worked tirelessly to promote inclusivity and celebrate achievements within the Midlands, we’ve realised the challenges women face in the tech sector are a national issue,” said Anita Chumber, Co-Founder. “By opening nominations nationwide, we aim to shine a light on the incredible women leading the charge in tech across the UK and inspire more women to join the sector.”

Ifraz Ahmed, Co-Founder of the Midlands Women in Tech Awards, added:“For five years, we have proudly championed women in tech within the Midlands, but we know the talent and innovation extend far beyond our region. The expansion of our awards to a national level is an important step toward breaking barriers and creating opportunities for women in tech across the UK. We want to ensure that women, no matter where they are based, receive the recognition they deserve while continuing to inspire the next generation to step into the industry with confidence.”

The decision to go national aligns with the awards’ broader mission to drive gender diversity in tech and create a more inclusive environment on a larger scale. By showcasing the achievements of women across the UK, the awards hope to encourage the next generation of tech talent while addressing barriers to gender equality in the industry.

The Midlands Remains Home to the Awards
Despite this exciting expansion, the Midlands Women in Tech Awards will still take place in the heart of the region. The 2025 awards ceremony will be held at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on 17th October 2025. This ensures that the event continues to honour its Midlands roots while embracing its national vision.

Nominations for the 2025 Midlands Women in Tech Awards are now open. Women in tech from across the UK are invited to submit their applications. For more information, visit www.womenintechawards.co.uk.

The 5th Midlands Women in Tech Awards 2024: A Night of Inspiration and Achievement

The Midlands Women in Tech Awards 2024 took centre stage on October 4th in Birmingham, where a vibrant and empowering celebration unfolded, honouring the remarkable women who are transforming the tech industry. This year’s prestigious ceremony, hosted at a stunning venue, showcased the incredible passion, determination, and achievements of women across the region’s tech landscape.

The event, now in its fifth year, was made possible through the generous support of headline sponsor Methods – an Alten Company, alongside key sponsors Birmingham City University, NTT Data, and SCC, whose dedication continues to elevate the profile of women in the sector.

The awards shone a spotlight on the outstanding contributions of women in tech, recognising the talent and innovation driving the industry forward. With more than 300 nominations this year, each finalist and winner represented the very best of what the Midlands has to offer, standing tall among an exceptional group of nominees.

Celebrating Women in Technology

The Midlands Women in Tech Awards play a vital role in recognising the importance of gender diversity within the tech industry, which remains largely male-dominated. These awards provide a platform to not only celebrate the successes of women but also encourage more women to explore and thrive in tech careers. By showcasing trailblazing female leaders, the awards hope to inspire the next generation of women in tech, making strides toward a more inclusive future for the industry.

Unforgettable Hosting and Keynote Insights

For the fourth consecutive year, the evening was hosted by the dynamic Deborah Leary, whose energy and engaging style once again captivated the audience, creating an atmosphere of excitement and celebration.

The event’s keynote speaker, Lalita Taylor, BBC Executive Producer and Director of BBC Academy Fusion, delivered an inspiring address that resonated deeply with all attendees. Sharing her extraordinary journey and the challenges she overcame, Lalita’s insights provided a powerful reminder of the vast opportunities awaiting women in the tech world.

A Special Thank You to Our Judges

Selecting the winners from such an exceptional pool of talent is no easy task, and we extend our deepest thanks to our panel of judges who took on the difficult responsibility of choosing the overall winners. Their dedication and expertise ensured a fair and thorough selection process. A heartfelt thank you to Fay Gleeson, Amandip Jheeta, Reena Sidhu, Dan Barlow, Miruna Chipara, Jude Hough, Dr Jagdev Bhopal, Katharine Fuller, Clare Streets, and Pam Waddell for their invaluable contribution to this year’s awards.

Supporting the Luca Foundation Charity

We were incredibly proud to support the Luca Foundation charity during the event. Thanks to the generosity of our amazing guests, over £2,500 was raised for this important cause, helping to make a difference and create a lasting impact.

B Events: The Force Behind the Awards

The Midlands Women in Tech Awards is brought to life by B Events, the region’s prolific and hugely successful event organiser. Founded by Ifraz Ahmed and Anita Chumber in 2015, B Events is known for its high standards, creating immersive experiences with top-end production. With a keen eye for causes they are passionate about, B Events continues to deliver unforgettable events that leave a lasting impression.

Entertainment and Camaraderie

The night wasn’t just about awards and accolades; it was filled with entertainment and joy. The Undercover Artists lit up the stage, keeping the crowd on their feet and adding a fun, unforgettable vibe to the evening’s festivities. From lively dancing to shared moments of celebration, the camaraderie among guests highlighted the strong sense of community in the Midlands tech scene.

A Celebration of Excellence and Inspiration

The 5th Midlands Women in Tech Awards 2024 was truly an evening of celebration, honouring the resilience, creativity, and excellence of women driving the tech industry forward. Congratulations to all the nominees, finalists, and winners—your achievements continue to inspire and pave the way for future generations.

We extend our deepest thanks to our sponsors, judges, and supporters, whose backing is instrumental in making this event a success year after year.

For a glimpse into the magic of the night, view photos from the event at https://bit.ly/MWIT24. By Edwin Ladd & Mehrban

To stay updated on the Midlands Women in Tech Awards and learn more about our initiatives, visit our website at www.womenintechawards.co.uk.

Full List of Winners

  • Best Use of Tech in a Public Sector Project Award:
    Becki Floyd – NHS Education for Scotland
  • Best Use of Tech in a Private Sector Project Award:
    Louise Latter – Birmingham Open Media
  • Tech Professional (Non-Coding) Award:
    Daljinder Mattu – Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport
  • Start-Up Founder Award:
    Claire Downes – Virtual Decisions
  • Rising Star Award:
    Helen Dickens – Methods
  • Academic Award:
    Anitha Chinnaswamy – Cyber Security Innovation Centre, Aston University
  • Project Delivery Lead Award:
    Nukey Proctor – Methods
  • Tech for Good Award:
    Pamela Aculey – MIIXD Reality
  • Innovator Award:
    Professor Hanifa Shah – Birmingham City University
  • Apprentice Award:
    Stacey Watson – Arup
  • Tech Entrepreneur Award:
    Karen Newman – Birmingham Open Media
  • Shining Star Award:
    Rebecca Hitch – Jaguar Land Rover
  • Special Recognition Award:
    Joanna Birch

5th Midlands Women in Tech Awards 2024 Finalists Announced!

We are thrilled to announce the finalists for the 5th Midlands Women in Tech Awards 2024! This year, we received an overwhelming number of phenomenal nominations, making it a difficult task to narrow down the finalists. Each nomination showcased the incredible talent, innovation, and dedication of women who are shaping the tech industry in the Midlands. 

The Midlands Women in Tech Awards are more than just an event—they are a powerful movement towards the inclusion and progression of women in the tech sector. With the ceremony set to take place on 4th October 2024 at the prestigious Birmingham Eastside Rooms, this year’s awards promise to be a celebration of excellence, diversity, and empowerment.

We are proud to have headline sponsors Methods – An Alten Company, along with the steadfast support of Birmingham City University, NTT Data, SCC, and others soon to be announced. Their continued commitment to these awards from the very beginning has been instrumental in making this event possible.

The Midlands Women in Tech Awards are dedicated to applauding the accomplishments of women who are carving a path in the tech industry, challenging perceptions, and spotlighting the pioneering women shaping the tech realm. By doing so, we strive to inspire more women to enter the field and realise their potential in dynamic, innovative, and fulfilling tech careers.

In a landscape where only 17% of the UK’s technology professionals are female, and a mere 3% of young women consider technology as their first career choice, the importance of celebrating and showcasing women in tech cannot be overstated. These awards play a vital role in inspiring future generations of women to consider technology as a viable and rewarding career path.

Organised and run by B Events, known for delivering some of the region’s most respected awards ceremonies like the Birmingham Awards and Midlands Food, Drink & Hospitality Awards, this event aims to empower, inspire, and amplify the voices of women in tech.

The 2024 Midlands Women in Tech Awards will recognise outstanding women across 13 categories, celebrating achievements in areas such as Tech for Good, Best Use of Tech in the Private Sector, Start-up Founder, and Tech Entrepreneur. These categories reflect the diverse roles and significant contributions women are making across the tech landscape.

The announcement of our finalists brings with it excitement and anticipation within the tech community. These finalists represent the incredible achievements of women in this sector and serve as an inspiration for future generations to pursue careers in tech. The awards ceremony on 4th October 2024 will be a night to remember—a celebration of talent, innovation, and empowerment in the ever-evolving world of technology.

We encourage everyone to participate in the voting process and support these incredible women. Voting is now open, so make sure to cast your votes for your favourites!

See the full list of finalists below:

Start-Up Founder Award

– Clare Downes – Virtual Decisions

– Elena Boos – Visionary Farms 

– Eman Al-Hillawi – Entec Si 

– Giovannie Jean-Louis – PROBr

– Olivia Davson – Cubbi 

Apprentice Award

– Hazel-Freya Thomas – The DM Lab 

– Maria Rafique – PwC

– Stacey Watson – Ove Arup & Partners 

Rising Star Award

– Alokparna Dutta – Goldman Sachs 

– Amulya Seshachala – Delta Financial Systems Ltd 

– Annam Khan – Accenture 

– Clare Maguire – AIFA 

– Diana Gicoveanu – SCC

– Helen Dickens – Methods 

– Katie Overton – Jaguar Land Rover 

– Michelle Loveland – ACUTEC Limited 

– Olivia Mackenzie – Kagool 

– Tijana Bogicevic – Jaguar Land Rover 

Academic Award

– Anitha Chinnaswamy – Aston University – Cyber Security Innovation Centre 

– Nicola Gittins – UoB Elevate Entrepreneurial Programme 

– Patricia Perez Esteban – University of Birmingham – The Healthcare Technologies Institute

– Vladlena Benson – Cybersecurity Innovation (CSI) Research Centre Aston University 

Tech For Good Award

– Alina Sovenko – Solutions for People 

– Amanda Mandiki – BT Group 

– Daljinder Mattu – Department for Science, Innovation and Technology 

– Emily Gotch – Microsoft 

– Helen Frances – Oracle NetSuite 

– Joanna Woodward – Women in Tech Birmingham 

– Kloe Avon – Redihomes 

– Louise Latter – BOM (Birmingham Open Media)

– Pamela Aculey – Just Like Me & MIXD Reality

– Rebecca Hayward – JLR

Innovator Award

– AJ Alromaithi – University of Birmingham 

– Fiona Erskine – SCC 

– Karen Newman – BOM (Birmingham Open Media)

– Prof. Hanifa Shah – Birmingham City University 

– Rose Lord – Empro Business Group Ltd 

Project Delivery Lead Award

– Aine Morgan – SCC

– Diana Doros – SCC

– Harriet Brown – PwC

– Helen Dickens – Methods

– Nukey Proctor – Methods 

– Riana Nisar – HM Courts and Tribunals Service

– Sunitha Debbadi – Kagool 

Shining Star Award

– Amy Glover – Delta Financial Systems Limited 

– Jane Dixon – Visavvi and SCC business 

– Lauren Tombs – Methods 

– Nukey Proctor – Methods 

– Pippa Ansell Hope – Goldman Sachs 

– Rebecca Hitch – Jaguar Land Rover 

– Roohi Bhatnagar – University of Surrey 

– Shanu Jain – Goldman Sachs

Tech Professional (Non-Coding) Award

– Daljinder Mattu – Department for Science, innovation and Technology

– Dominika Kycia – Kagool Ltd 

– Dominika Tasarz-Sochacka – Payara Services Ltd 

– Geraldine Trufil – Split Second Research (SSR)

– Harriet Brown – PwC

– Jane Holmes – NTT Data 

– Mikayla Sinead – BOM (Birmingham Open Media)

– Natasha Moss – Delta Financial Systems Limited 

– Srishti Malik – PwC

– Tara Lawrence – B13 AI

Tech Entrepreneur Award

– Batool Zaidi – Excelify Solutions 

– Georgina Bowman – MySports Community Ltd 

– Geraldine Trufil – Split Second Research (SSR)

– Karen Newman – BOM (Birmingham Open Media)

Best Use of Tech In a Public Sector Project Award

– CSI – Aston University Cyber Security Innovation Centre 

– Dr Nihal Abosaif – Heartlands Hospital NHS Trust, UHB 

– Natasha Moss – Delta Financial Systems

– Becki Floyd 

Best Use of Tech In a Private Sector Project Award

– Emma Armstrong – Empro Business Group Ltd 

– Leena Parmar – Jaguar Land Rover 

– Louise Latter – BOM (Birmingham Open Media)

– Sonia Rani – PwC

Congratulations to all the finalists, and we look forward to celebrating your achievements on 4th October 2024. Let’s continue to empower, inspire, and amplify the voices of women in tech!