Finalists revealed for 2025 everywoman in Tech Awards

The finalists for the everywoman in Technology Awards have been announced, marking the 16th year of the UK programme recognising women working across technology and wider STEM roles.

The shortlist spans apprentices, early-career technologists and senior leaders, with categories covering software engineering, cyber security, digital transformation and artificial intelligence. Organisers framed the awards as part of a wider effort to increase female representation in a sector where women remain under-represented.

Organisers cited figures showing women make up 24.8% of the total STEM workforce, down from 29.4% in 2020, based on government data referenced in the announcement. They also pointed to a separate statistic that women account for 22% of AI and data professionals in the UK.

AI focus

The programme has added and refined categories over time, with a growing emphasis on AI roles. Organisers also cited research suggesting women are 4-5% more likely than men to rate AI values such as privacy, safety, accountability, fairness and human autonomy as very important.

This year's finalists include women working on projects linked to cyber defence strategies for Ukraine, and on AI systems used in areas such as renewable energy research and vaccine manufacturing. Organisers also highlighted community and education work by younger finalists, including teenagers encouraging other girls to join computer science clubs.

Nicole Goodwin and Sophie Catto, joint managing directors at AllBright everywoman, linked the awards to the economic importance of technology roles and emphasised the visibility of career routes into STEM.

"The tech industry is fundamental to the UK economy, and these awards celebrate the remarkable women who are delivering innovation and growth in this pivotal sector. The inspiring stories of our exceptional finalists will showcase their groundbreaking projects and highlight viable pathways for the next generation of women in STEM."

Shortlist breadth

Finalists are drawn from across the UK and Ireland, spanning large employers, public sector bodies, universities and smaller technology businesses. Categories cover individual contributors, managers and executives, and include a "Male Agent of Change" award for male workplace allies.

In the AI Champion category, shortlisted finalists are Hana Abdi of Hanacodes (Multiverse), Nausheen Basha of Imperial College London, Hannah Brown of the UK Hydrographic Office, Duygu Cakmak of Creative Assembly (SEGA), Luna Guglietta of Markerstudy Insurance, Malini Jeyachandran of Lloyds Banking Group, Nichola Roberts of ConnexAI and Sarah Topping of Ciklum.

The Apprentice Award shortlist includes Yasmeen Bey of Volkswagen Group UK, Filipa Chambel of Elanco, Naamua Dodoo of Tesco, Kelly Howes of Compare The Market, Adebusiola Ola-Adebomi of PA Consulting and Feng Shen Foo of Siemens EDA.

Cyber Security Award finalists are Eirini Anthi of Cardiff University, Temi Onanuga of Aventum Group, Rebecca Phelps of BAE Systems, Vanessa Santos of LRQA and Sabah Suhail of MTU.

In the CTO/CIO of the Year category, shortlisted leaders are Pooja Bagga of Guardian Media Group, Charlotte Chambers of StepChange Debt Charity, Nicola Emsley of Barclays, Melissa Proxenos of Debtrak and Cristina Sabau of The National Heart Clinic.

Other categories include Digital Star, Digital Transformation Leader, Software Engineer, Entrepreneur, Innovator, Leader, One to Watch, Rising Star, Tech For Good and Team Leader. Finalists across these lists include staff from Amazon Web Services, IBM, NatWest, Capital One, Virgin Media O2, the Ministry of Defence, the Royal Navy and NHS Blood and Transplant, alongside academic and third sector representatives.

Winners will be announced at an event in London in March at the Westminster Park Plaza Hotel.