Diversity Tech Summit returns to explore equality in UK Tech
Diversity Tech Summit is back with a bang after a six-year hiatus as it brings together tech trailblazers, social entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and political stakeholders powering the British technology sector. Despite more money than ever flowing into UK tech, up 156% by the end of last year reaching £29.4 billion, the tech scene faces its own challenges around diverse representation and under-funding of women-led ventures, which the Summit aims to tackle.
Spearheaded by equality and inclusion charity Diversity UK, the summit features a range of compelling panel sessions on topics as diverse as ‘technology to tackle global challenges’, ‘where are all the Black founders? and ‘levelling up’.
In partnership with global law firm Eversheds Sutherland, leadership development consultancy Wavelength, global communications consultancy Ketchum, and the popular Asians in Tech index, the event will take place in London on Wednesday 6th July 2022. The Summit will also see the return of the coveted Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech 2022 list. Celebrating the brightest names in the industry from the past year, the list includes start-up founders, technologists, investors, digital influencers in business and social enterprise.
Marking its eighth anniversary, the list is proud to be a beacon in the industry, celebrating diversity in its broadest sense by highlighting the ground-breaking business models, apps, platforms, funding and support networks being pioneered by Asian digital entrepreneurs, from all walks of life, in Britain.
With five categories on offer including AI, Business, Life Sciences, Start-Ups and Investors, the Top 100 List has evolved to introduce new categories which reflect the monumental importance that sectors like health and AI have played during the pandemic. Last year more than 60 per cent of the list were new entrants and 52 were women, recognising the progressive nature of the rankings.
Commenting on the launch of the Diversity Tech Summit and Top 100 Asian Stars in Tech 2022 List, digital entrepreneur Lopa Patel MBE, Chair, Diversity UK, said: “It’s fantastic to be back in full force to re-energise the tech sector in the UK and showcase the unbelievable contribution that diverse talent makes to the industry. The pandemic has shown us the critical role technology can play in tackling global challenges and has highlighted the successes of people from all backgrounds in the UK and around the world in making a palpable difference. From healthtech and Greentech, to AI and social enterprise, I’m proud to represent an organisation that recognises the achievements of so many professionals, in what is a thriving, multi-billion-pound industry.”
Nasser Ali Khasawneh, Partner and Head of Technology Media and Telecoms (TMT) Sector, Eversheds Sutherland, said: “We are proud to be associated with this great event, especially after such a long absence. As head of the firm’s TMT sector, I am witnessing daily the increasing focus on diversity by our technology clients. Our clients are committed to enhancing the diversity of their teams and equally that of the legal teams they’re instructing. This is a pivotal opportunity and we must all rise to the challenge. The Tech sector has still much to do to improve its inclusiveness across the board. There are some very positive signs, but we are still at the beginning of the journey. We hope this conference will go a long way towards highlighting the focus on greater diversity and inclusion in Tech in the UK. The huge economic success of this sector in the UK must be matched by a culture that nurtures and supports diversity. The UK is already a major hub for technology, but it can do more to solidify its status as one of the digitalization centres of the world. Greater diversity must lie at the heart of this ambition, as numerous studies have shown that more diversity leads to greater innovation.”
Jessica Stack, Co-Founder, Wavelength, said: “Wavelength are absolutely delighted to be sponsoring the Diversity Tech Summit and Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech 2022 list and awards. As an organisation, Wavelength are passionate about driving equality, diversity and inclusion. For over 14 years, we have been showcasing a wide range of hugely admired leaders and global organisations, as part of our responsible leadership programmes. We ensure we represent a diverse range of backgrounds, lived experiences, and businesses striving to change societal norms. We continue to challenge and provoke our clients’ thinking, encouraging them to also step firmly into this arena, and take responsibility for ED&I within their organisation. We strive to be at the forefront of this conversation, pushing the boundaries. Our values are closely aligned to those of Diversity UK, so these awards are the perfect opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to improving equality, diversity and inclusion in business.”
Alicia Solanki, MD Client Experience and Chair of Ketchum’s Inclusion Council said: “At Ketchum, DE&I is paramount to our business success, which is why it is hardwired into all parts of our agency – from recruitment to the consultancy we provide our amazing clients. It’s why we’re proud to support Diversity UK with their event, giving us an opportunity to unite two like-minded organisations in their quest to celebrate and acknowledge the contribution diverse talent makes to the thriving tech industry in the UK."
The Diversity Tech Summit takes place on Wednesday 6th July 2022 (12pm - 6pm) at Eversheds Sutherland in Central London. It is free to attend but registration is mandatory. Click here to register.
About Diversity UK
Diversity UK is an equality and inclusion charity that researches, advocates and promotes ideas for improving diversity in Britain. Diversity UK delivers its charitable objectives by undertaking research, facilitating debates, hosting roundtable meetings, producing white papers and publishing a monthly newsletter focusing on contemporary equality issues.
For further information, visit www.diversityuk.org
About Eversheds Sutherland
As a global top 10 law firm, Eversheds Sutherland provides legal services to a global client base. With more than 3,000 lawyers, Eversheds Sutherland operates in over 70 offices in more than 30 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. In addition, a network of more than 200 related law firms, including formalised alliances in Latin America, Asia Pacific and Africa, provide support around the globe.
We recognise that having diverse talent across our business brings many benefits. We are committed to accessing a wide range of views, perspectives and thinking in all our teams and in this way, we are building a culture of inclusion, where each person feels able to be their true self at work and reach their full potential. We know that diverse and inclusive organisations are more productive, more innovative, perform better and have stronger levels of engagement from their people.
Diversity and Inclusion is fundamental to the firm's purpose of "helping our clients, our people and our communities to thrive", and 'Inclusive' is one of our five values. Our strategy encompasses a number of diversity dimensions including ethnicity; gender; disability; sexual orientation, gender identity and expression; parenting and caring; faith and social mobility.
By embracing diversity, we can better partner with our global and diverse client base, and be open and welcoming to all, across the communities we live and work in.
For further information, visit www.eversheds-sutherland.com
About Wavelength UK
Wavelength is a world-class leadership company. We aim to make the world better through business, by enabling ambitious leaders to develop their connectivity, knowledge and resilience. We understand the key issues facing companies today: employee engagement, service excellence, social innovation, digital disruption, leadership resilience and change management. Our unique programmes and insider access to progressive and inspiring organisations offer a radically different model for learning and tangible return on investment.
For further information, visit www.wavelengthleadership.com
About Ketchum
Ketchum is a global communications consultancy that is passionate about doing work that matters and is leading the industry in the need for progress and improvements in DE&I. We bring the resources, structure specialisms and delivery of a big agency, with the passion, agility and contacts of the boutiques. Because we're multi-disciplinary by nature, we pride ourselves on being able to flex our talent depending on the challenge at hand. Diversity and Inclusion is our number one business priority. It is embedded throughout our culture, values and work and we're proud to have one of the most diverse creative teams in the industry producing work that matters. In 2021 we officially became the most awarded communications consultancy for DE&I.
To find out more please visit: www.ketchum.com/london
