Nominations open: Most Influential Women in UK Technology 2018

Nominations are now open for Computer Weekly’s 2018 list of the Most Influential Women in UK Technology.

Computer Weekly is working in partnership with recruitment firm Mortimer Spinks to recognise and showcase female leaders and role models in the technology industry.

Now in its seventh year, Computer Weekly’s list of the Most Influential Women in UK Tech was launched in 2012. Originally, the list featured 25 women, before becoming so popular it was expanded to reward the top 50.

Judges will work together to discuss this year’s nominations and decide on a shortlist of 50 women based on the achievements, potential, leadership skills and influence of each nominee.

Once the longlist has been decided, Computer Weekly readers will have the opportunity to vote in an online poll for who they believe should be named this year’s Most Influential Woman in UK Technology.

The final order of the top 50 and the winner of the award will be announced at a special event in London in September 2018.

Last year’s winner was founder and executive chairman of social enterprise Founders4Schools Sherry Coutu. She believes visible and accessible role models are the key to increasing diversity in the technology industry.

Founders4Schools is an online platform designed to connect schools with local businesses to help expose children to potential career paths from an early age, and founder Coutu thinks having people talk to young children about science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) positions can have a positive impact.

“One of the things that rings in my ears is, if you can’t see it, you can’t be it,” said Coutu. “Role models are critical.”

Representation of female role models is important for encouraging more women to enter the industry. Computer Weekly’s annual list of the Most Influential Women in UK Technology, along with its list of Rising Stars and Hall of Fame, aims to make some of these role models more visible.