Most influential women in UK IT 2015: Rising stars

Computer Weekly has revealed five rising stars for 2015 as part of its 50 most influential women in UK IT awards.

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 play in the UK’s high-tech economy.

During the selection process for the 50 most influential women, the judges felt that a “rising star” category should be added so that a small group could be acknowledged separately for their work and potential.

The judges selected five women whose growing influence is likely to make them candidates for the top 50 in coming years.

The 2015 rising stars are:

• Elizabeth Eastaugh, director of technology at Expedia.
• Sarah Luxford, associate partner at European Leaders and lead of the Women in London Tech Group.
• Sophie Deen, CEO at Bright Little Labs.
• Jodie Cook, founder and managing director of JC Social Media.
• Mary Moloney, CEO of CoderDojo.

The Salesforce Foundation has offered to work with this year's rising stars to support them in reaching more women in technology and influencing the next generation.

The foundation will work as a facilitator to help the rising stars become involved in programmes designed to support young people in science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) education.

Charlotte Finn, foundation director at Salesforce, said the Salesforce Foundation was delighted to be supporting the Computer Weekly rising stars. 

“One of the key missions of the foundation is to deliver effective programmes with a focus on Stem education and workforce readiness,” she said.

“The rising stars are the next leaders in the technology sector and a collaboration will enable them to support, mentor and coach the future generations of rising stars, whilst at the same time allowing them to reach and expand their networks into key, transformational programmes designed to help young girls be successful in Stem.”