Is diversity still a challenge in the channel?

"Over the past decade, initiatives to boost female representation have delivered visible improvements. We've seen targeted recruitment drives, more conversation about equity, and more female leaders in the industry. However, taking a closer look at the numbers and lived experiences reveals that the channel industry still has some way to go. The UK's technology workforce remains less than a quarter female, and over 60% of women in tech report having faced discrimination."

"In reality, the gender imbalance begins long before women step into their first role. In schools, girls remain underrepresented in computer science and engineering programs. By university, there's usually only a handful of female computing students. Conscious and unconscious biases continue to compound the problem. Traits celebrated in male peers, like assertiveness and decisiveness, may sometimes get judged differently in women."

Visible progress has resulted from targeted recruitment drives, increased equity conversations and more female leaders, yet the technology workforce remains under 25% female in the UK and over 60% of women in tech report discrimination. Talent shortages exist, but entrenched structural and cultural barriers shape who thrives. Gender imbalance often begins before workforce entry, with girls underrepresented in school computer science and engineering and few female computing students at university. Conscious and unconscious biases and disproportionate caregiving responsibilities collide with a culture of long hours. Reshaping assumptions and embedding inclusion across hiring and everyday management are required to attract and retain women.

Read at ChannelPro