Week 27 of 52 — Women in Tech Series
Welcome to our Women in Tech series. Over the next 52 weeks, we’ll spotlight inspiring women shaping the technology industry — sharing their stories, achievements, and insights.
From founders and engineers to designers, researchers, and community leaders, this series celebrates the diverse voices driving innovation and building the future of tech.
Lucy Collins
Owner and Co-Founder of Web Usability and CollectivAlly
How did you first get into tech/innovation?
I always considered myself tech adjacent. As a user researcher, I have spend the last 10 years exploring what humans need from digital experiences and then testing to make those experiences more effective. The focus has very much been on the human outcome – can we achieve the tasks we need to online – rather than the tech that is used to deliver it. Over the years, a passion for digital inclusion has pushed me further into the world of tech with the recent founding of CollectivAlly – an inclusive user research platform that that uses AI personas trained on lived experience research data to bridge the gap between automated tools and full user testing.
What did your career path look like before landing your current role?
Squiggly! It took my some time to settle into being a grown up and I spent much of my early post-university years bouncing between ski seasons and dive instructing (it was a great time!). Once I did enter the adult world, I ended up in marketing for academic journals but I always felt a step removed from our customers and wanted more opportunity to ask nosy questions. When the opportunity arose to join the family business, Web Usability, it sparked a passion for user research and how we create a truly effective online world that works for all.
What does your role involve day-to-day?
As is true for any small business leader, my role is hugely varied. In any single day I’ll be sales, marketing, delivery, tech support, innovation and finance! Much of the time is spend looking and pitching for new work, creating content for marketing (I host a podcast, which is probably my favourite thing to do!), delivering research and accessibility project work for clients and managing my brilliant team.
What challenges have you faced working in tech, and how did you overcome them?
I wouldn’t say the challenges I’ve had relate specifically to working in tech but will be common to many across industries. For me, I came close to burn out when I realised I was putting everyone and everything before myself. A challenging financial time in the business managed alongside a postpartum period meant I was operating at a constantly high level of stress. I did my best to be the strong leader and bottle all that up but as with any pressured environment eventually it all came out.
At this point I began investing more in myself and a combination of hypnotherapy, business management courses and finding a community of other agency leaders has helped me realise that prioritising myself is not a selfish act and will, in fact, make for a better, more resilient business.
Was there a moment or opportunity that helped you break into the industry?
I was very fortunate to be born into it! Not everyone is lucky enough to have a family business to step into so when the opportunity arose to join my Mum and Dad at Web Usability it felt like an offer not to be refused. I’m very grateful for the opportunities this has given me and hope to honour the legacy of the business they’ve created while ensuring the next chapter keeps pace with our increasingly technological world.
What advice would you give to women who want to work in tech or innovation?
I have two: your instincts are great, listen to them and you have the power to define your own version of success.
I’ve spent a long time second guessing myself, comparing myself to other business leaders and generally doubting my ability to do this. This is really easy to do in tech where us ladies are outnumbered by the men and if you’ve not raised millions of pounds in investment capital you can feel somewhat inadequate. That is just one version of success. For me, right now in this bit of life with two small children, success looks like harmony between business and babies. No doubt that will change and the work I am doing now is all in the knowledge that one day maybe I’ll be that person who has the millions of pounds in investment.
Being ourselves is what makes us special, different and someone people want to listen to. Your instincts are a great indicator of how true to yourself you are being. If it feels right, its probably worth a shot.
What do you love about working in the South West tech ecosystem?
It is a truly buzzy place. There are so many great people doing amazing, ambitious, world changing, tech-related things and it feels like everyone is cheerleading each other every step of the way. People are generous with their time and wisdom and as an infant entrepreneur I’ve been so grateful of the support that has been offered over the last couple of year.
Connect with Lucy!
Follow Lucy’s journey and connect with her on LinkedIn here
