A panel of diversity experts will be descending on Bath tomorrow morning. They are here to discuss the best ways of encouraging a gender diverse workforce with some local tech and digital companies.
You can expect an honest debate on why it’s important that we achieve true gender diversity, and hear what works and what doesn’t from companies trying new ways of encouraging this diversity.
“In order to ensure that our tech workforce is more diverse, inclusive and fair something radical needs to happen”
It’s an important quest. As the organisers of ‘Gender Diversity – Let’s Do This!‘ tell us: “In just 3 years time, by 2020, the UK tech industry needs one million more tech workers. That’s a lot of people. Currently only 17% of tech workers in the UK are female and only one in ten females are taking A-levels in computer studies. In order to ensure that our tech workforce in 2020 is more diverse, inclusive and fair something radical needs to happen.”
Annie Legge (pictured right), organiser of the event and co-founder of The Dot Project, an organisation that makes sense of the digital environment to increase impact and build capacity, tells us, “You can expect to get a greater understanding of what companies can do to improve diversity at the event and a frank conversation about the challenges and how we can tackle them.”
“We will focus on action and solutions to drive the women in tech agenda”
She adds “Debbie Forster (pictured above) CEO of the Tech Talent Charter will be leading the panel. Together we will map existing gaps and opportunities in Bath and the South West, and focus on action and solutions to drive the women in tech agenda.”
She’s keen for as many people to come along to help make the event as successful as possible: “We want those with an interest in the role of women in technology and how we can encourage more women in tech across our community. Our discussion will bring together diverse voices, not only champions for diversity, but also any local business, charity and community organisation.”
The list of panellists joining in the debate are:
– Pauline Roche, Co-Founder RnR Organisation – Asset-based community development and tech for good.
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Dr. Constance Fleuriot (pictured left), Co-founder Women’s Tech Hub – developing practical solutions to build connections between women and tech industry and encourage diversity.
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Jane Ginnever (pictured right), Founding Director SHIFT – Helping organisationss create pragmatic new models of work, improving productivity, agility and growth by providing people with more freedom, feedback and focus.
– Michelle Carpenter, Human Rights Analyst, Verisk Maplecroft – integrating global risk analytics, expert insight and user-centric platforms to help organisations build resilience and unlock competitive and reputational advantage.
– Rav Bumbra, Founder, Structur3dpeople – Promoting diversity through recruitment and mentoring schemes.
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Zara Nanu (pictured left), CEO, Gapsquare – Tackling the pay gap with instant analysis of gender pay gap data with rich visual representations.
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– Roja Buck, Group CTO, Riverford Organic Farmers – producing real, organic, ethically produced food with a story.
– Nathan Baranowski, Director, Ojo Solutions – enhancing business using cutting-edge technology.
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– Gabby Shaw (pictured right), Principal Consultant, ADLIB – The most knowledgeable, honest and straightforward tech recruiters you will ever meet.
You can sign up for tomorrow’s event (10am-12pm at the University of Bath Innovation centre) here: Gender Diversity – Let’s Do This! For the full programme of events and to find out more about the festival, head to the Bath Digital Festival website or follow them on Twitter here: @bathdigital.
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