Despite it being 2026, it is estimated that fewer than a quarter of those who work in the UK tech sector are women.
At CirrusHQ, we have some key women working across the breadth of the business in key leadership, operational, and project management roles who make a real difference.
We caught up with Jan (our CCO), Lauren (Business Operations Manager), Elisha (Managed Services Team Lead) and Abi (Project Manager) ahead of International Women’s Day on 8th March to share what it’s like to be a woman working in the tech sector – and why skills speak louder than gender when putting yourself out there in the industry
Why do you think there is not more gender parity in the tech sector?
Jan:
For me, there isn’t a single “thing” that is the cause of this – it is the culmination of many moments in a girl’s (and then woman’s) life. From school age, girls have been typically steered away from STEM subjects – be it through cultural messaging, gender stereotypes in toys and media, and sometimes unconscious bias from teachers and parents. As a result, this meant that fewer women were arriving at university having elected to study computing or engineering degrees, which shapes everything downstream.
Layered on this, the tech industry has a well-documented culture problem in some organisations – with environments that can feel exclusionary, masculine defaults in communication styles, and a lack of visible female role models at senior levels. I have known female peers who have entered the industry only to feel like outsiders.
Finally, research consistently shows that women are less likely to apply for roles unless they meet nearly all the criteria, while men apply when they meet around 60%. This isn’t a personal failing – it reflects years of messaging about who “belongs” in tech. When considered together, it is no wonder that we haven’t yet seen more equality in the sector, unfortunately. But I believe change is possible.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting their career in tech?
Lauren:
It is important to put yourself out there; by joining forums and attending not only training sessions, but also user groups, you meet peers who may be experiencing situations similar to you. The cloud community is bigger than you think (particularly in Scotland), and there is always someone that you can learn from, and people who can learn from you.
Abi:
Don’t be afraid to explore new or different areas. The tech sector is so broad that there is always something new to learn about to expand your knowledge.
Jan:
The tech industry doesn’t just benefit from diverse voices; it is at a standstill without them. One thing women aren’t great at is self-advocacy. However, it is important for each of us to understand our market value and be confident in our skills and experience. This can also mean developing somewhat of a thick skin to navigate bias, but also results in a wisdom to appreciate the difference between a challenging environment and a toxic one. Above all, don’t let imposter syndrome win.
Elisha:
Get involved; whether in new projects at work, mentoring others or attending events. We need to remember that if we are not in the room, nothing will change when it comes to the perception of the lack of women working in tech. Visibility matters, be it in a community or conference.
What more should companies and other organisations do to champion women working in the tech sector?
Jan:
It all starts with removing barriers; be it for entry into the workplace or career progression. People spend a significant part of their lives at work, so it is the responsibility of organisations to actively build environments where women feel welcome, valued, and able to thrive. From offering mentorship and sponsorship to ensuring that the culture guarantees equal opportunities – including pay equity and clear paths for progression within the business, irrespective of gender. Skill should be celebrated first and foremost.
Elisha:
It is important that the sector stops seeing the recruitment of women as a part of achieving a target. Of course, there should be more awareness of the lack of equality for women in tech – but that counts for a lot of sectors.
What do you love about working at CirrusHQ?
Jan:
As an AWS Premier Partner, we know a lot about AWS, and so does the team. We actively encourage everyone in the business – whether in a technical role or not – to pursue AWS certifications at all levels and ensure they have the time to study in their working week. It is great to see the team thrive and learn from each other.
Bringing the team on the journey of the company is also important for us as a business, so the team works in a way that suits them – be that in the office, at home; wherever. This gives the whole team the flexibility to work in a way that aligns with their life and really only is possible as we have a culture which is built on trust.
Elisha:
CirrusHQ has created a really natural environment to work in. I have worked in teams in previous roles where I felt I was employed to tick the “woman in tech” box. In this role, I see and experience equality across the whole team – regardless of gender. Everyone is recognised for the skills that they bring to the table.
Abi:
I love how every day can be different because of the wide variety of customer projects that we are supporting – no conversation is the same.
Lauren:
Since I joined the business, my role at CirrusHQ has evolved considerably – which has also coincided with how the business has grown. This gives me the variety that I thrive on.
Learn more about CirrusHQ: https://cirrushq.com/careers/
