The work of a leading De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) academic was recognised by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in yesterday's Budget speech as he unveiled new measures to tackle gender inequality in the UK's technology sector.
Dr Ismini Vasileiou, Associate Professor in Cyber Security at DMU and Director of the East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster, is a founding member of the Government's Women in Tech Taskforce and has played a key role in developing the proposals now being taken forward by ministers.
Speaking in the House of Commons chamber on Wednesday (28 October), Chancellor John Healey explicitly credited the Taskforce with recommending new measures to support female entrepreneurs.
He told the House: “As recommended by the women in tech taskforce, I am also announcing a new scale-up programme to support female founders” and went on to confirm that the British Business Bank will double its funding commitment to women-led businesses and funds to £200 million.
Dr Ismini Vasileiou, Associate Professor in Cyber Security at DMU and Director of the East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster
Today (Thursday 29 October), the Government released further details of the plans, including two new voluntary industry standards devised by Dr Vasileiou and the Women in Tech Taskforce and designed to tackle the barriers preventing women from entering, progressing and succeeding in the technology sector.
The Tech Forward Standard will focus on improving workplace culture in the technology sector, where women continue to face discrimination, harassment and obstacles to career progression.
Proposed measures include creating trusted routes for reporting workplace harassment, giving employees greater confidence to raise concerns and helping employers build more inclusive working environments.
The Inclusive Investment Standard will address inequalities in the funding available to female entrepreneurs, who currently receive just 2p of every £1 invested through UK venture capital.
It could see investors broadening the channels through which they identify potential businesses to support and tracking how women-led companies progress through funding applications, from their initial pitches to final investment decisions.
The aim is to identify where female entrepreneurs are losing out and encourage fairer, more transparent investment practices.
Alongside these standards, the Government will launch a new programme in 2027 to help women founders develop and expand high-growth businesses. Support could include practical workshops, networking, peer learning and introductions to potential investors.
The proposals are intended to address a longstanding imbalance in the UK technology sector.
Women account for just 22 per cent of the UK's IT workforce, while a recent Government call for evidence found that 74 per cent of respondents believed better workplace culture would support women's progression and leadership in technology.
The economic implications are also significant. Government estimates suggest that enabling women to start and grow businesses at the same rate as men could unlock £310 billion for the UK economy.
Dr Vasileiou said: “Our focus has been on addressing the barriers that prevent women from progressing and leading in technology, so it’s incredibly rewarding to see almost a year of work recognised in the Chancellor’s Budget and translated into national commitments.
“The real measure of success will be whether these commitments lead to meaningful change across the sector. I am particularly pleased that the East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster will help shape the next phase, ensuring that regional businesses and SMEs have a voice in developing standards that are practical and accessible.”
Dr Vasileiou was appointed to the Taskforce in December 2025 by then Technology Secretary Liz Kendall MP, joining leading figures from technology businesses, industry organisations and academia.
Her appointment followed extensive work on cyber security skills, workforce development and digital resilience, including a white paper launched at Westminster calling for a coordinated national approach to cyber skills and professional standards.
She has also led government-funded initiatives supporting businesses across the East Midlands in strengthening their cyber security and developing the skills needed to respond to emerging digital threats.
The East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster, which Dr Vasileiou directs, has now been named among the first industry ambassadors who will help develop the Tech Forward Standard.
It joins organisations including BT, Revolut, Sage, techUK and Code First Girls, while investors including Balderton Capital and Octopus Ventures will support the development of the Inclusive Investment Standard.
Both standards will now be developed further through collaboration between the Taskforce, industry and investors, ahead of their formal launch in the coming months.
The Women in Tech Taskforce will meet again in November to take forward the next phase of work, with the aim of turning the Government's commitments into practical changes across the sector.
Posted on Thursday 29 October 2026