Rising Stars revealed with Most Influential Women in UK IT list

Computer Weekly has revealed five Rising Stars for 2014, as part of its 25 Most Influential Women in UK IT list.

The annual list focuses on the role of women in IT, recognising the most influential role models and highlighting the vital part that female IT leaders will play in the UK’s high-tech economy.

During the judging process for the top 25 Most Influential Women in UK IT the judges felt that a Rising Star category should be added so that a small group could be acknowledged for their work and potential.

The judges selected five in the belief that their growing influence is likely to make them candidates for the top 25 in the coming years.

The Rising Stars for 2014 were:

• Sheree Atcheson, software engineer at Kainos and founder of Women Who Code UK and Belfast
• Anne-Marie Imafidon, enterprise collaboration strategist at Deutsche Bank and head stemette at Stemettes
• Charlotte Keens, project manager, UBS
• Alice Bentinck, co-founder, Entrepreneur First
• Cristiana Camisotti, co-founder, Silicon Milkroundabout

Camisotti said: ''It's so important that we reach out and inspire the next generation of female entrepreneurs to look to the fast-paced and exciting world of tech.''

Atcheson said: “I’m very proud to be highlighted as one of Computer Weekly’s Rising Stars of 2014. I’m so happy that my work in bringing Women Who Code to the UK has been acknowledged and it only adds to my passion to make a change in this industry and ensure that all women know that in order to be in the tech industry you do not need to be a man, a geek or a nerd – all you need is an interest.

“I think these lists are great in that they highlight local role models that young girls can aspire to be. As Marian Edelman stated, ‘You cannot be what you cannot see,’ and through lists like this, young girls can most definitely see what they can possibly become.”