UK Women in Software Power list Published

Women working at FinTech firms GoCardless, Monzo, Onfido and Revolut among those celebrated for their achievements.

The UK’s first ever Women in Software Power list, supported by software bootcamp Makers Academy, and Level 39, was published  Today (9 May).

The initiative celebrates the achievements and talent of women across the coding community as they begin to play a bigger role in shaping the innovation of the country’s digital economy. The list focuses on key individuals who are rising stars and have been in the software development world for less than a decade.

Women who made the list are employed across business sectors, and work in some of the of the country’s most influential firms, including FinTech unicorns Monzo, Onfido and Revolut, as well as top-tier institutions such as BBC, EY, Vodafone UK and Oxford University.

ComputerWeekly, Level39 and Makers Academy launched the Powerlist initiative earlier this year by calling on the tech and other industries across the UK to nominate female colleagues who should be recognised.  Women were also encouraged to nominate themselves. A group of independent judges reviewed the applications and narrowed the list to 30 names.

The list showcases the talented women across the software community and encourages more women across the UK to join the tech sector.  Women represent just 19% of the digital tech workforce in the UK, as opposed to 49% across all jobs, according to the 2018 Tech Nation Report. In 2017, female Programmers and software developer made up only 3.9% of tech and telecoms professionals in the UK — down from 10% in 2007.

Evgeny Shadchnev, CEO of Makers Academy, said:

“The high calibre women that have made this year’s power list is a testimony to the extraordinary talent that makes up the UK’s digital economy. We hope that by publishing and celebrating the winners we will encourage more women to enter the software developing profession and to make a significant contribution to the future of technology and innovation.”

Ben Brabyn, Head of Level39 comments: 

“The Women in Software Powerlist is a much-needed recognition of the work that exceptional women are doing in coding and developing digital innovation. With only 19% of the tech workforce in the UK made up of females – Makers Academy and Level39 are taking on the challenge and highlighting the leading women that are increasingly shaping the future of forward facing businesses in Britain. Level39 is home to the UK’s most ambitious and fastest growing tech start-ups, we encourage businesses to address diversity from the outset – the social and commercial case for doing so is undeniable.”

About Makers: Creating a new generation of tech talent who are skilled and ready for the changing world of work, we are inspired by the idea of discovering and unlocking potential in people for the benefit of 21st century business and society. We believe in alternative ways to learn how to code, how to be ready for work and how to be of value to an organisation. At our core, Makers combines tech education with employment possibilities that transform lives.

Makers is the premier coding provider based in Shoreditch, London. In 16 weeks the organisation will train students to become fully qualified software engineers. Makers has a successful track record for spotting and developing the talent of students from different backgrounds. Over 35% of its engineers have been women: two times higher than the industry average. In the past it has also developed its own fund to attract students from difficult backgrounds. To date, Makers Academy has turned over 1,500 people into junior software engineers and placed them with leading global brands such as Deloitte Digital, FT, Vodafone, and Tesco.  

About Level39: The world’s most connected tech community, we support fast-growth tech companies in three clear ways – giving access to world-class customers, talent and infrastructure.

Through expert mentors, access to Canary Wharf’s dynamic workspace, a packed events calendar and best-in-class facilities we help businesses achieve scale.

Owned wholly by the Canary Wharf Group, Level39 launched in March 2013. Since then, Level39 has grown from a simple idea into a three-floor, 80,000 square foot accelerator space occupying the 39th, 24th and 42nd floors of One Canada Square.