Salford-based connectivity provider TalkTalk has announced the return of an awards ceremony celebrating the achievements of women working in the technology sector in the North West.
The TalkTalk North West Women in Tech awards will take place in Greater Manchester on Wednesday 1st November. It will be hosted by Tristia Harrison, CEO of TalkTalk, and a number of high-profile local figures. The awards have previously been presented by Gary Neville and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
The event has more than doubled in size since its launch in 2021.
This year’s judging panel includes an inspiring line-up of tech advocates, entrepreneurs and journalists, including:
- Sarah Bateman, CEO – UnifyEnergy
- Yvonne Harrison, CEO - Women In Football
- Harriet Noy, Founder and CEO - Hazaar
- Sara Prowse, CEO - UA92
- Swetha Singh Shamsundar, Head of Software Engineering – TalkTalk
- Michael Taylor, Journalist and Editor – TheBusinessDesk.com (North West)
- Beckie Taylor, Co-Founder – Tech Returners
The award categories are encouraging for all areas and levels of technology, including: Rising Star, Tech for Good, Innovation/Innovator, Team of the year, Mentor of the year, and Outstanding Achievement.
Members of the public can nominate professionals working within the tech industry, in all positions, across the North West of England for the awards HERE. The nomination window will close on 21 July, allowing the panel to judge each entry based on a fair and specific criterion.
Winners from the 2022 awards include:
- Mentor of the Year: Jo Sheerin, KPMG
- Team of the Year: Tech Returners
- Tech for Good: Emma-Louise Fusari, InHouse Health
- Innovation: Claire Bailey, Barclays
- Rising Star: Yasmin Sidat, Autotrader
- Outstanding Achievement: Beckie Taylor
Tristia Harrison, CEO at TalkTalk, said: “The growth of these awards, and recognition since launch, has been hugely motivating for myself and others working in the technology industry today. It is evident that things are changing to create a more diverse sector, albeit slowly, and there is always more that we could and should be doing to support each other.
“I look forward to reading this year’s nominations – an important opportunity to educate, collaborate and celebrate all women working in all areas and at all levels in the technology industry.”
Emma-Louise Fusari, founder of In-House Health and winner of the Tech for Good award in 2022, said: “To be recognised for doing what I love, which is positively impacting the lives of those I have the pleasure of working with and supporting, is truly humbling. For others to see and share my vision is phenomenal and to be acknowledged and celebrated in a tech award is also pretty cool. I hope I can inspire other women (and nurses) to get involved in STEM careers and show them that their knowledge and skills are transferrable and valuable.”
TalkTalk’s internal Women in Tech employee network has over 200 members, many of whom regularly meet in a safe space to share ideas and advice, exploring themes such as imposter syndrome – and they will be supporting the event later this year. Last year, they hosted 100 academics, advocates and leaders, and students looking at the themes and barriers to women working in tech. The report, with key discussion points and recommendations can be found HERE.
To find out more about The North West Women in Tech Awards by TalkTalk, visit https://www.talktalkgroup.com/what-we-stand-for/north-west-women-in-tech-awards
