90 per cent of women find their careers rewarding. Yet 90 per cent have also been subject to gender bias. This duality of passion and barriers faced by women leaders in technology roles lies at the heart of our latest research.
Insights from the ‘Rewards & Resilience’ report
The ‘Rewards & Resilience’ report is based on a survey of over 200 women leaders in tech. Endorsed by Dame Stephanie Shirley, author of ‘Let It Go’, it shines a spotlight on both the achievements and challenges of women in tech leadership.
Dame Stephanie Shirley remarked: “This report celebrates the achievements of senior female professionals, suggests a pathway for more women to achieve senior roles, and provides a roadmap for a more gender-diverse tech industry.”
A dual experience: Love for work amid bias
The report reveals that nearly 90% of women leaders in tech love their jobs. 80% feel successful in their roles. Remarkably, only 3% have considered leaving their positions. Yet despite this high job satisfaction, 90% have encountered gender bias, and over 60% have faced gender discrimination.
While the sector offers substantial financial and intellectual rewards, women hold only 24% of roles, and a mere 5% of leadership positions. With the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis having disproportionately affected women generally, the 2 million vacancies in the tech sector offer an obvious opportunity, if we can overcome this disparity.
Resilience in the face of challenges
Women in tech are required to demonstrate a resilience that isn’t required of men. Despite high job satisfaction, 10% still regularly experience bias and discrimination. Nearly 80% report challenges in their journey to leadership, particularly in enterprise businesses.
Wendy Stonefield, London Hub Executive at AND Digital, commented: "There's been huge progress in promoting female talent within organisations, but sometimes this progress feels forced due to client demands. Cultures need to genuinely embrace diversity, recognising it as essential rather than optional."
AND Digital's commitment to women in tech
AND Digital continues to champion women in tech through various initiatives, including a dedicated women-in-tech community – the AND She Can programme – and our work with the Digital Skills Forum, which is focussed on addressing the digital skills gap. The ‘Rewards & Resilience’ report is the latest effort to support and elevate the role of women in tech roles and our mission to close the world's digital skills gap.
Download the report
Explore the polarising experiences of women in tech leadership roles, in our 2024 'Rewards & Resilience' report.
