More than 100 free events announced for UK Women in Tech Week 2026

More than 100 free events across the UK have been announced for Women in Tech Week 2026, 12–16 October, to attract, develop, retain and celebrate women in technology. For the third year running, the UK’s only national week dedicated to championing women in technology brings together an ecosystem of global technology companies and financial institutions, charities, professional networks and community groups.

Women in Tech Week will officially launch in Manchester on 12 October 2026 with the session, Breaking Barriers, Building the Future, hosted by headline sponsor Lloyds Banking Group. Dr Vanessa Vallely OBE, Founder and CEO of WeAreTechWomen, will set the context for the week, reflecting on the current landscape for women in technology.

This year’s events cover artificial intelligence, data, cyber security, career development, leadership, confidence, wellbeing, and future skills. Participating organisations include Accenture, Bank of America, Nimble Approach, PwC, NatWest, Oliver Wyman, House of Commons, Northern Trust, Colt Technology Services and PA Consulting.

Set to be the largest yet, the five-day programme includes in-person events in Manchester, Cardiff, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Birmingham, London, Bristol, Leeds and Cheshire, alongside virtual sessions, so women across the country can take part closer to home or online.

Nationwide Events and Regional Highlights

Example events include:

• London: Female Learning and Mentoring Experience (FLAME), led by Akamai, will examine new research into the experiences of women returning to technology after a career break and what organisations need to do to help.

• Birmingham: Intercity and Elevate Women in Tech X WITBham will examine the role of sponsorship in helping women gain visibility and access new opportunities.

• Cardiff: Women in TECH Connect-Wales Network brings together women working in tech to discuss leading teams, building careers and making their next move.

• Milton Keynes: Santander will host a Women in Tech, Data and AI breakfast.

• Oxford: The University of Oxford will run a practical session on using AI to document achievements and support career progression.

• Leeds: Women in Risk Executive (WiRE) will host a leadership and career development event to see more women rise to leadership in the field.

Tackling Retention and Career Progression

The programme comes amid continued concern about the retention and progression of women in technology. The 2025 Lovelace Report, produced by WeAreTechWomen and Oliver Wyman, estimated that women leaving technology roles or moving between employers costs the UK technology sector between £2 billion and £3.5 billion each year due to broken career frameworks. Cited by government when it established the Women in Tech Taskforce in December 2025, it’s the beginning of a long-term mission to shift policy, influence hiring practice, and elevate more women into senior tech leadership.

Dr Vanessa Vallely OBE, Founder and CEO of WeAreTechWomen, said: “Women in technology do not need more warm words about the scale of the problem; they need access to skills, networks and opportunities that help them move forward.

“Women in Tech Week brings that support together and makes it available free of charge across the country. Whether someone is considering their first technology role, returning after a career break or preparing to move into leadership, there will be practical opportunities for them to learn, connect and take their next step.

“If we want the UK to remain globally competitive, we need more women entering, staying and progressing within the technology sector.”

The full Women in Tech Week 2026 event calendar and further information can be found on its dedicated website.