Nominations open for everywoman in Technology Awards

Nominations have opened for the everywoman in Technology Awards 2027, now in their 17th year.

The awards recognise women working in technology roles across sectors and career stages, from apprentices to senior executives. Entry is free, and categories include AI, cyber security, software engineering, digital transformation, entrepreneurship and leadership.

The programme opens against a backdrop of concern about the position of women in the UK technology workforce. Research cited by the organisers indicates that women in tech, financial and professional services face a greater risk of job losses than male colleagues as artificial intelligence reshapes work.

The same data also points to pressure on the wider economy from skills shortages. A digital talent gap could cost the UK about GBP £10.8 billion between 2024 and 2035, with a further GBP £3.3 billion in lost profits, according to figures referenced by the awards programme.

Separate survey data highlights the scale of the gender imbalance in newer parts of the industry. Women accounted for 20% of UK AI roles among surveyed organisations in 2025, down four percentage points from 2020 during a period of rapid growth in AI hiring.

That context helps explain why the organisers are emphasising visibility and role models alongside individual recognition. Previous winners have come from organisations including Barclays, Booking.com, Tesco and Imperial College London.

Industry backdrop

The awards span a broad range of disciplines, reflecting where employers are hiring and where technology work is changing fastest. This year's categories include the AI Champion Award, Cyber Security Award, Software Engineer Award, Digital Transformation Leader Award and Tech for Good Award, alongside broader leadership honours such as Woman of the Year and CTO/CIO of the Year.

The programme also includes a Male Agent of Change Award, reflecting efforts by many employers to frame gender representation as an organisational issue rather than one affecting women alone. Other categories focus on early and mid-career recognition, including the Apprentice Award, One to Watch and Rising Star.

AllBright everywoman said the awards are intended to highlight women whose careers can encourage others to enter or stay in the sector. It describes the programme as the longest-running awards scheme focused on female talent in technology.

Nicole Goodwin and Sophie Catto made that case in a joint statement.

"AI is rapidly redefining how we live and it's vital that women play a defining role in shaping how these technologies are developed and adopted. Yet at a moment when the sector needs more of their judgement and input, women are becoming less visible in the sector. The everywoman in Technology Awards not only celebrate the achievements of women who are driving transformative change in this diverse industry but gives them a platform to inspire the next generation of women in STEM so that more women will play a role in defining our intelligent future," said Goodwin and Catto, Joint Managing Directors, AllBright everywoman.

Broader push

The opening of nominations comes as employers, policymakers and industry groups continue to debate how to widen the UK's technology talent pool. Companies have long faced recruitment problems in software, data, cyber security and digital operations, while campaigners argue that progress on gender representation has been uneven.

Women remain underrepresented in several technical specialisms, particularly in AI-related roles. At the same time, the spread of automation has raised fresh questions about whether women are being displaced from roles vulnerable to AI without gaining equal access to the jobs being created around digital systems.

Supporters of awards schemes and industry recognition programmes argue that they can help counter that pattern by raising the profile of women already working in the field. Visible examples from different backgrounds and job levels may influence both recruitment and retention.

For employers, the issue is not only representation but also access to skills. If businesses continue to struggle to fill digital vacancies, pressure will grow to recruit from groups that remain underrepresented in the sector.

The 2027 programme is open to nominations across 15 categories, with sponsored awards backed by companies including Arm, Accenture, Booking.com, NatWest and Haleon. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in London in March 2027.