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Tell us who you think should be included in Computer Weekly’s 2026 list of the 50 Most Influential Women in UK Technology
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Computer Weekly list of the Most Influential Women in UK Technology.
For the 15th year in a row, Computer Weekly is asking readers to tell us who among the thousands of women in the technology sector they think is the most influential.
The slow-growing number of women in the UK’s technology sector has been an ongoing issue – women currently represent around 22% of people in technology roles in the UK, a figure that has only increased by 3% over the past five years. Not only that, but almost 90% of women choose to leave their tech career within 10 years of starting it.
The reasons for this are plentiful, including a lack of visible and accessible role models, poor opportunities for career progression, a lack of flexibility and a lack of inclusive culture.
By publishing the list of the most influential women in UK tech each year, Computer Weekly hopes not only to showcase the female talent that already exists, but to highlight exactly what is standing in women’s way when it comes to a thriving tech career, in the hope that doing so will encourage change for the better. The aim is also to provide visible and accessible role models for everyone who feels like the technology sector is not for people like them.
Each year, we recognise the technology sector’s Rising Stars alongside the top 50, as well as adding several great women in tech to our Hall of Fame, of which there are now more than 50 members.
Once the nominations are received, a group of expert judges will choose the top 50 shortlist, after which Computer Weekly readers can vote on the top 50 via an online poll to indicate who on the shortlist they believe should be named the 2026 Most Influential Woman in UK Technology.
The winner, as well as the full top 50 list, will be announced at the Computer Weekly and Harvey Nash diversity in tech event in London on 15 October.
Please complete the form below to tell us who you would like to nominate – and why – along with some basic details about yourself, and click on the “Submit” button to send your nomination to our judges.
The deadline for submission of nominations for this year’s list is 23.59 on Sunday 9 August.
Judging panel
The judging panel who will decide the shortlist and order of the top 50 alongside the readers’ vote comprises industry professionals and experts, including:
- Russ Shaw, founder of Tech London Advocates and Global Tech Advocates;
- Debbie Forster, NED, adviser and coach;
- Sheridan Ash, founder and co-CEO, Tech She Can;
- Clare McDonald, business editor at Computer Weekly;
- Bryan Glick, editor-in-chief of Computer Weekly;
- And a representative from Harvey Nash.
Non-binary tech talent
We realise people who are non-binary may not want to be included in a list of predominantly women.
If you are a non-binary person in tech or you want to champion a non-binary person in the industry, we still want your nominations – if you’re comfortable here, please proceed. Alternatively, look out for our annual UKtech50 list of the most influential people in the UK’s tech sector.
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Tomi Paris