Alex Younger, head of the Secret Intelligence Service, was the surprise keynote speaker as the winners of the Women in IT Awards, the world’s largest tech diversity event, were revealed last night.
Mr Younger, who rarely makes public appearances, spoke for 15 minutes to 1,000 business and technology executives at the event, which celebrated the IT industry’s highest achieving women at Grosvenor House in Mayfair.
The MI6 chief said attracting the best IT talent is a priority for him as technology continues to transform the capabilities required of Britain’s foreign intelligence agency. And with around eight in ten IT roles filled by men in the UK, Mr Younger stressed the importance of attracting more women to the industry.
Mr Younger said, “As the head of a human intelligence organisation, but with technology right at its heart, I am delighted to have the opportunity to demonstrate my support for an event which recognises the outstanding contribution by women in the IT industry, a contribution I am determined to grow and enhance in the Secret Intelligence Service to make us the best we possibly can be in utilising talent.”
>See also: Chief of MI6 reveals real-life ‘Q’ is female in rare speech at 2017 Women in IT Awards
The Women in IT Awards, organised by Information Age in partnership with Amazon Web Services, aims to tackle the technology industry’s gender imbalance by identifying new female role models and promoting collective dialogue around diversity among key industry stakeholders. The initiative has gathered resounding support from trade associations, politicians and companies of all sizes and sectors since launching in 2015.
Last night’s event was introduced by Ben Rossi, editorial director at Information Age publisher Vitesse Media and founder of the Women in IT Awards and sister event Tomorrow’s Tech Leaders Today.
“Achieving diversity in technology has remained a priority campaign for Information Age and Vitesse Media, and we’ve been overwhelmed by how the enormous demand for the Women in IT Awards has seen it double in size in the last 12 months,” said Rossi.
“The involvement of Alex Younger as keynote speaker and the fact we’re able to bring together 1,000 industry leaders in the name of diversity are testament to how invested people and organisations are in this cause. It’s a privilege to host the platform that makes it all happen.”
The awards were hosted by TeenTech CEO and TV presenter Maggie Philbin, who was appointed an OBE in the New Year Honours list for her work in sparking young peoples’ interest in STEM and the creative industries.
>See also: Women in IT Awards 2017 – finalists revealed
Gavin Jackson, UK&I managing director at headline sponsor Amazon Web Services, also spoke at the event about how gender diversity helps businesses drive innovation and gives them a better understanding of their customers.
Jackson said, “We all have a real responsibility to ensure that the next generation of women are able to do so on ability and merit, and we’re delighted to support the Women in IT Awards’ efforts to shine a spotlight on some of the country’s most inspirational technology leaders.”
Joining Amazon Web Services as sponsors of the Women in IT Awards 2017 were Salesforce, BMC Software, Accenture Security, ADA College, Direct Line Group, EOL IT Services, Ericsson, Equal Experts, Frank Recruitment Group, Informed Solutions, KPMG, Rolls-Royce, Schroders, TeenTech, YOOX Net-A- Porter Group, and Zayo.
Women in IT Awards 2017 winners
Advocate of the Year – Sponsored by EOL IT Services
Bernadette Andrietti, Intel
Business Leader of the Year – Sponsored by ZayoSophie Harrison, Panaseer
Business Role Model of the Year – Sponsored by BMC SoftwareWendy Tan-White, Entrepreneur First
CIO of the Year – Sponsored by Amazon Web ServicesMaggie van’T Hoff, Shell
Digital Leader of the Year – Sponsored by KPMGBeverley Bryant, NHS Digital
e-Skills Initiative of the Year – Sponsored by GrowthBusiness.co.ukAmali de Alwis, Code First: Girls
Editor’s Choice – Sponsored by Information AgeVladlena Benson, Kingston University
Employer of the Year – Sponsored by TeenTech
Entrepreneur of the Year – Sponsored by YOOX Net-a-Porter GroupBrynne Herbert, MOVE Guides
Future CIO of the Year – Sponsored by Direct Line GroupClaire Priestley, City, University of London
Global Leader of the Year – Sponsored by SchrodersBethany Mayer, Ixia
Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Informed SolutionsEstelle Lloyd, Azoomee
Rising Star of the Year – Sponsored by Rolls-RoyceHarriet Lester, Internet Watch Foundation
Security Champion of the Year – Sponsored by Royal Bank of ScotlandMichele Hanson, Transport for London
Transformation of the Year – Sponsored by EricssonHelen Gowler, Avon
Woman of the Year – Sponsored by SalesforceAlison Ross, Auto Trader
