Winners Announced for the 2025 Everywoman in Technology Awards
Everywoman has revealed the recipients of its 2025 Everywoman in Technology Awards, proudly sponsored by Bupa.
A Celebration of Women in Tech
This year marks the 15th anniversary of Everywoman recognizing the achievements of women within the technology sector. The awards shine a spotlight on female role models in tech, aiming to inspire and encourage more women to pursue careers in this field, having already highlighted over 500 remarkable women since the initiative’s inception.
The Role of Mentorship and Visibility
Discussions on the need for more women in the UK’s tech industry frequently emphasize the vital role of visible and accessible role models. Experts suggest that young individuals are more inclined to consider tech-related careers when they see relatable figures succeeding in the industry.
Maxine Benson’s Perspective
Maxine Benson, co-founder of Everywoman, stated, “Role models act as not only beacons of achievement but also tangible evidence that success is within reach. True role models offer guidance and motivation to navigate a successful career in an industry yearning for diversity in all its forms—be it in thought, approach, or lived experience.”
She added, “Now more than ever, it’s crucial for each of these distinguished finalists and this year’s winners to be recognized and celebrated to attract more female talent into technology.”
Current Landscape in the Tech Sector
Despite ongoing initiatives to boost the presence of women in technology, a 2024 study by BCS revealed that women constituted only 17% of IT specialists in the UK, with this figure rising by a mere 1% over the past five years.
Additionally, Everywoman’s research, in collaboration with Bupa, found that nearly 40% of women in tech believe the scarcity of available role models, especially in senior positions, has hindered their career advancements.
Spotlighting This Year’s Winners
A total of 16 winners were selected from nearly 90 finalists across various categories, showcasing talents that span from students and apprentices to those in executive positions. These individuals serve as essential beacons illuminating potential career paths in technology for others.
This Year’s Award Recipients
- AI Champion Award: Maryleen Amaizu, Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Redgate
- Apprentice Award: Grace Thomas, Management Consulting Associate, Accenture
- CTO/CIO of the Year Award: Amanda Barker, CTO and VP – IS Strategy and Architecture, Centrica
- Cyber Security Award: Sarah Rench, Global Generative AI Security Director, Avanade
- Digital Star Award: Shahzadi Awan, Front-End Software Engineer II, Booking.com
- Digital Transformation Leader: Rosanne Kincaid-Smith, Former Group Chief Operating Officer, Northern Data Group
- Entrepreneur Award: Payne MBE, Chief Marketing Officer, Open Bionics
- Innovator Award: Laurence Levy, Founder and CEO, MeditSimple
- Leader Award: Sandra Stanley, Chief Data Science Officer, dunnhumby
- Male Agent of Change Award: Ashar Khan, Chief Data Officer, SSE
- One to Watch Award: Joey Lin, Student, The Maynard School
- Rising Star Award: Jemima Abu, Front-End Developer, WeMakeWebsites
- Software Engineer Award: Anna Wilde, Senior Engineer, American Express
- Team Leader Award: Maddie Clingan, Principal Agile Coach and Agile People Manager, ControlPlane
- Tech for Good Award: Sue Black OBE, Professor of Computer Science and Technology Evangelist, Durham University
Woman of the Year
The coveted Woman of the Year award was presented to Carla Brackstone, Senior Partnerships Manager at Kheiron Medical Technologies. Brackstone has made significant strides in utilizing AI for breast cancer detection, successfully identifying early-stage cancer in 11 women in Aberdeen. She is actively working to incorporate this technology into the NHS and the U.S. healthcare system.
Reflecting on her journey, Brackstone noted, “Initially, technology wasn’t part of my plan, but it has continuously opened new doors for me, providing a platform for growth, innovation, and impact.”
