The UK government has launched a new Women in Tech Taskforce, signalling a renewed commitment to tackling long-standing barriers that prevent women from entering, remaining and progressing within the technology sector. Announced by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall, the taskforce aims to unlock the full potential of the UK’s tech workforce, driving innovation, productivity and economic growth across sectors that increasingly rely on digital capability, including digital construction and the built environment.
As the construction industry accelerates its adoption of digital technologies such as building information modelling (BIM), artificial intelligence, digital twins and data-led asset management, access to a diverse and sustainable tech talent pipeline has become a strategic priority. The Women in Tech Taskforce arrives at a critical moment, when skills shortages and inclusion challenges threaten the pace of digital transformation.
Addressing the cost of exclusion in the UK tech sector
Despite strong growth, the UK tech sector continues to lose talent due to structural barriers. Research cited by government estimates that the economy loses between £2 billion and £3.5 billion each year because women leave technology roles or exit the sector entirely. These losses are not only economic; they also limit innovation, reduce productivity and weaken the UK’s global competitiveness.
Women remain significantly underrepresented across technology careers. Men outnumber women four to one in computer science degrees, and women are less likely to enter the tech workforce, stay in technical roles, or reach senior leadership positions. A 2023 Fawcett Society study also highlighted persistent cultural challenges, finding that 20 per cent of men working in tech believe women are inherently less suited to these roles.
At the current rate of change, equal representation for women in tech is estimated to be more than two centuries away. The funding gap is equally stark: female-founded startups receive nearly six times less investment than male-founded companies, despite evidence that they deliver higher returns on investment. For sectors such as digital construction, where innovation depends on interdisciplinary thinking and advanced digital skills, these disparities represent a missed opportunity.
A taskforce focused on practical change
The Women in Tech Taskforce has been established to provide clear, actionable advice to government and industry. Its remit includes identifying barriers to education, training and career progression, and developing practical solutions that can be implemented collaboratively by policymakers, employers and skills providers.
The taskforce will focus on shaping policy that encourages diversity, supports progression into leadership, and expands opportunities for women across the UK. By strengthening access to the full talent pool, it aims to support inclusive growth and help the tech sector realise its full market potential.
Liz Kendall convened the first meeting of the taskforce at the British Science Association on Monday 15 December, marking the formal start of its work. She emphasised that technology should serve everyone, and that inclusive decision-making leads to better products, stronger innovation and sustainable economic growth.
Leadership and industry expertise at the centre
Anne-Marie Imafidon, founder of STEMETTES, has been appointed as the Women in Tech Envoy and will lead the taskforce alongside the Secretary of State. The taskforce brings together senior leaders from across technology, education, policy and industry, reflecting the breadth of the UK tech ecosystem.
Founding members include leaders from major organisations such as BT Group, Revolut UK, techUK, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Trades Union Congress, and organisations focused on skills, startups and inclusion. This range of expertise is intended to ensure that recommendations reflect the realities of both large employers and fast-growing digital businesses, including those operating in construction technology, infrastructure and smart cities.
The taskforce will also draw lessons from successful women-led UK tech companies, including ivee, Starling Bank, Peanut and Koru Kids, examining how inclusive leadership and supportive cultures contribute to business performance.
Skills, education and the future digital workforce
Encouraging more women into tech careers begins with education. The Women in Tech Taskforce will complement existing government initiatives designed to strengthen the UK’s digital skills pipeline. These include the £187 million TechFirst skills programme, which aims to help more girls develop technical skills and consider careers in technology, and the Regional Tech Booster programme, which supports local innovation ecosystems.
The government has also confirmed that the forthcoming curriculum will ensure every young person develops essential digital and AI skills. This is particularly relevant for the future of digital construction, where demand for data literacy, automation, cybersecurity and digital design skills continues to grow.
Programmes such as the STEM Ambassadors Programme and the National Centre for Computing Education’s ‘I Belong’ initiative already work to broaden participation and raise awareness of technology careers among girls and young women. The taskforce will build on this foundation, with a specific focus on improving representation and retention across the tech workforce.
Implications for digital construction and the built environment
For the digital construction sector, the launch of the Women in Tech Taskforce is highly significant. As construction becomes increasingly technology-driven, from design and planning through to asset operation, the sector’s ability to attract and retain diverse digital talent will shape its long-term resilience.
Inclusive technology teams are better positioned to design systems that work across communities, improve safety, and deliver sustainable outcomes. By addressing systemic barriers and supporting women into leadership roles, the taskforce has the potential to influence not only mainstream tech, but also specialist sectors where digital capability is now fundamental.
A step towards sustainable and inclusive growth
The Women in Tech Taskforce represents a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening the UK’s digital economy. By tackling exclusion, supporting skills development and promoting leadership diversity, it seeks to ensure that technology-driven sectors, including digital construction, can access the talent and innovation they need to grow.
Its success will depend on sustained collaboration between government, industry and education. If delivered effectively, the taskforce could play a pivotal role in shaping a more inclusive, productive and competitive digital future for the UK.
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