Building a stronger UK tech-sector workforce

Women in TechWorks champions the women and companies shaping the future of technology. Women in Tech Works across our Connected-Communities from semiconductors, embedded systems, cybersecurity, AI, and electronic systems applications.

TechWorks has been here since 1996 to help catalyse the UK tech sector and assist it in performing strongly on the global stage.

And now we’re at a pivotal moment. To be fit for the future we need the very best workforce we can get to stay competitive and world-class. We need a workforce that is not only highly capable and suitably skilled, but also sustainable. We know that women are a big part of the equation today, yet more can, and must be done to ensure the industry is seen as attractive and providing long-term career prospects.

Women in TechWorks has now become a core part of our overall mission. Our goal is to help women make a bigger, more significant contribution to the sector’s prospects by attracting, supporting, and advancing them at each stage of their career path.

This is a member-led initiative and is designed to:

  • Raise awareness of opportunities for women in technology.
  • Celebrate achievement at every level.
  • Accelerate career progression across technical and supporting roles.

Why Women in TechWorks

The UK has world-class research, innovation, and industrial capability, but to remain globally competitive, we need more people with the right skills.

  • Demand is high: Skills in chip design, verification, power electronics, AI, and cybersecurity are critical for growth.
  • Talent remains untapped: Women are under-represented in many fields, despite excelling in maths-rooted disciplines and leadership roles.
  • The opportunity is clear: By connecting women with employers, mentors, and networks, Women in TechWorks will help convert interest into impact.
  • It’s not a women-only initiative: Success depends on collaboration across the entire sector and men play a vital role in supporting, mentoring, and enabling change.

Our Focus

We’re uniting industry, academia, and partners and stakeholders to:

  • Grow and future-proof the UK talent pipeline
  • Support women at every career stage, from entry-level to leadership
  • Provide access to training, mentoring, and networking opportunities
  • Celebrate achievement and promote role models to inspire the next generation
  • Highlight all roles necessary for a thriving sector including leadership, management, business development, project management, technical and non-technical positions.

This is a sustained commitment to building capability and ensuring women across the UK tech ecosystem can thrive.

Do you want to join Women in TechWorks? Sign up today and be part of our founding initiatives

  • Talent Development and Mentoring Initiative
  • Leadership Initiative
  • Increasing Awareness and Visibility Initiative

“Women in TechWorks is not just for women—men are needed to support its goals. Real progress will come as we work together to grow and strengthen the sector for all participants.”

Jillian Hughes, TechWorks

“The semiconductor industry is uniquely flexible, creative, and driven by curiosity — qualities that make it an incredibly rewarding place for women to build their careers. Yet many still don’t realise the opportunities it offers. Women in TechWorks helps change that by shining a light on inspiring stories and showing more women that this is an industry they can shape — and one where they can grow, lead, and belong.”

Gabriella Giuffrida, Arm

“Being part of Women in Techworks means belonging to a community where voices, ideas, and ambitions are amplified. For me, it’s not just about representation — it’s about creating pathways, breaking barriers, and making sure the next generation of women in tech sees possibility, not limitation. It matters because when women thrive in technology, innovation thrives with us.”

Madhuparna Datta, Cadence

“It is fundamental that women leaders stand up and come together as allies.  Sharing knowledge and making the changes we want to showcase our industry as a great place to work is what drives me…everyone has a voice, we just need the platform to listen”

Anna Gilbert, Cadence

“I hope by being involved I can help inspire the next generation of females into semiconductors.  I have and continue to have an amazing career in the sector that has given me amazing opportunities.  I would love other females to experience and grow in the sector as I have”

Jen Walls, Clas-SiC

“I am passionate about the semiconductor industry, but it’s still very lacking in women and diversity. I hope to make a difference to current and future generations as a more and inviting and welcoming industry.  Nothing changes if nothing changes”

Jenna Hushka, Flexciton

“My experience, skills, voice and presence matter – not just for my own growth, but for helping to shape a more balanced future where tech works for everyone”

Claire MacKay, Jaltek

“We work together to create an environment where we can promote different experiences and perspectives that women bring to our workplaces. Alternative leadership styles, challenges to culture and different approaches to tasks, ensure that our industry continues to develop, excel and remain competitive. Women role models in industry today inspire the next generation of girls; this is something that the entire industry should celebrate.”

Hannah Dolan, Nexperia

“We need to create more role models and bring more women into tech so that younger generations have someone to look up to and be inspired, because of this and many more reasons we at microTECH are proud to partner with Women in TechWorks.”

Jon Michaels, microTECH global Ltd

“Connection – Women in TechWorks is connection, to peers, to technical experts, to pioneers, to leaders from all walks of Tech. It paves the way to learn from others, share our journeys and as we together walk to a stronger, more diverse, innovative future.”

Kerry Abrams, Nexperia

“I am part of Women in TechWorks because I am committed to addressing the underrepresentation of women across our industry and I believe this group will be the driver of key initiatives that will help to close the gap.”

Sarah Casey, NXP

Upcoming Events

Other Activities

Recent Events

Steering Board

Jillian Hughes

Founder, Women in TechWorks

Jenna Hushka

Co-Founder, Women in TechWorks and Commercial Leader, Flexciton

Hannah Dolan

Co-Chair, Women in TechWorks and Senior Manager, Nexperia

Ras Attale

Co-Chair, Women in TechWorks and Senior Hardware Engineer, Siemens

Dr Paula Palade

AI Ethics, Jaguar Land Rover

Elizabeth Smithies

Senior Quality Lab Manager, Nexperia Semiconductors

Merzeree Anne David

Process Engineer, Clas-SiC

Madhuparna Datta

VLSI & EDA expert

Jen Walls

CEO, Clas-SiC

Kerry Abrams

Technical Manager

Claire Mackay

Business Development Manager, Jaltek

Anna Louise Gilbert

Design Engineering Director, Cadence Design Systems

Gabriella Giuffrida

Semiconductor Education Alliance Lead, Arm

Helen Ledger

Senior Vice President of Marketing, Pragmatic Semiconductor

Alexandra Leadley

Interim Director of Workforce and Skills, UK Semiconductor Centre