A De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) academic has been named as one of the founding members of a new Government taskforce set up to get more women into tech.
Dr Ismini Vasileiou, Associate Professor in Cyber Security at DMU and Director of the East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster, has been appointed to the Women in Tech Taskforce by Technology Secretary Liz Kendall MP.
Despite the tech sector being one of the UK’s fastest-growing industries, women remain significantly under-represented, particularly in senior and leadership roles. The new taskforce will advise government on practical actions to improve participation, progression and retention of women across the sector.
This first-of-its-kind campaign will advise government on how to better support diversity in tech and ensure the UK accesses the full talent pool, market opportunities, and innovation capacity needed for economic growth.
Dr Vasileiou said: “It’s a privilege to be invited to join the DSIT Women in Tech Taskforce. Drawing on my work in cyber security and digital skills, I’m keen to help shape solutions that move beyond discussion and deliver meaningful, long-term change for women working in technology.
“We will be supporting action-driven solutions that align policy, skills and industry practice to deliver lasting impact for women in technology.”
Figures show men outnumber women 4 to 1 in computer science degrees. Women are less likely to enter tech, stay in the sector, or rise to leadership, not because they are less capable, but because systemic barriers hold them back. A 2023 Fawcett Society study found 20% of men in tech believe women are inherently less suited for these roles.
At the current pace, it will take 283 years for women to achieve equal representation in tech and female-founded startups receive 5.9x less funding than male-founded ones, despite delivering 35% higher returns on investment.
The Women in Tech Taskforce will identify and dismantle barriers to education, training, and career progression. It will develop practical solutions for government and industry to implement side by side, shape policy that encourages diversity and levels the playing field, and drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth by expanding opportunities for women across the UK.
Ms Kendall said: “Technology should work for everyone, that is why I have established the Women in Tech Taskforce, to break down the barriers that still hold too many people back, and to partner with industry on practical solutions that make a real difference.
“This matters deeply to me. When women are inspired to take on a role in tech and have a seat at the table, the sector can make more representative decisions, build products that serve everyone, and unlock the innovation and growth our economy needs.”
In one of the first moves to establish the taskforce Anne-Marie Imafidon, founder of the STEMETTES, has been appointed as the Women in Tech Envoy and in this role will lead the taskforce alongside Secretary of State.
Dr Vasileiou has been at the forefront of national debates on cyber skills, workforce development and digital resilience. She wrote a white paper launched at Westminster calling for a coordinated national approach to cyber skills, career pathways and professional standards. She is a director of East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster which brings together business, academia, and cyber security experts to strengthen the region’s digital resilience ecosystem and skills pathways.
She has also led major regional initiatives, including a £150,000 government-funded programme to help East Midlands businesses strengthen their cyber resilience, and is organising the East Midlands’ first cyber security conference in February.
The founding members of the Women in Tech Taskforce are:
- Liz Kendall: Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
- Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon: Founder – STEMETTES
- Allison Kirkby: CEO – BT Group
- Anna Brailsford: CEO and Co-Founder – Code First Girls
- Francesca Carlesi: CEO – Revolut UK
- Louise Archer: Academic – Institute of Education
- Karen Blake: Tech Inclusion Strategist, Former Co-CEO of the Tech Talent Charter
- Sue Daley OBE: Director Tech and Innovation – techUK
- Vinous Ali: Deputy Executive Director, StartUp Coalition
- Charlene Hunter: Founder – Coding Black Females
- Dr. Hayaatun Sillem: CEO – Royal Academy of Engineering
- Kate Bell: Assistant General Secretary at TUC
- Amelia Miller: Co-Founder and CEO – ivee
- Dr Ismini Vasileiou: Director, East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster
- Emma O’Dwyer: Director of Public Policy – Uber
Posted on Tuesday 16 December 2025