 Computer Weekly has revealed its list of the 25 most influential women in UK IT in 2014. The aim of compiling the annual list of the top 25 women in UK IT is to focus on the role of women in IT, to recognise the most influential role models and to discuss the vital part that female IT leaders will play in the UK’s high-tech economy. Here is 5 of them 1. Dame Wendy Hall, professor of computer science at the University of Southampton, and founder of the Web Science Research InitiativeDame Wendy Hall is founding director – along with Tim Berners-Lee, Nigel Shadbolt and Daniel J Weitzner – of the Web Science Research Initiative, a long-term research collaboration between the University of Southampton and MIT. She is a fellow of the BCS, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Engineering and Technology, and the Royal Society. She was awarded a DBE in 2009 and a CBE in 2000. 2. Dame Stephanie ShirleyDame Stephanie “Steve” Shirley is a British businesswoman and philanthropist who in 1962 founded software company FI Group (later Xansa, subsequently acquired by Steria). She created work opportunities for women with dependants, and predominantly employed women – only three out of FI’s 300-odd programmers were male – until the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 made that illegal. She adopted the name “Steve” to help her in the male-dominated business world. In 1993, she officially retired at the age of 60 and has taken up philanthropy since then. She was awarded an OBE in 1980 and made a Dame (DBE) in 2000. She set up the UK-based Shirley Foundation in 1986 with a substantial gift. Its mission is to facilitate and support pioneering projects with strategic impact in the field of autism spectrum disorders, with particular emphasis on medical research. 3. Joanna Shields, non-executive director at the London Stock Exchange Group and chair of Tech CityJoanna Shields is an American-British non-executive director at the London Stock Exchange Group. Before that she was CEO and chair of Tech City Investment Organisation and the UK government’s business ambassador for digital industries. Since stepping down, she has stayed on at Tech City UK as chairman. Before that she was vice-president and general manager of Facebook in Europe. She has also been president of people networks at AOL, a position she assumed after AOL’s acquisition of Bebo. At Bebo, she served as CEO, and before that was managing director for Google Europe, Russia, Middle East and Africa. In February 2013, she was rated one of the 100 most powerful women in the UK by Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4. 4. Chi Onwurah, shadow Cabinet Office minister for digital governmentChinyelu Onwurah is shadow Cabinet Office minister for digital government, including cyber security. She is also leading Labour’s pre-election review of digital government policy. She was elected at the 2010 general election as MP for Newcastle upon Tyne Central. A chartered engineer and former head of telecoms technology at UK telecoms regulator Ofcom, she became shadow minister for business, innovation and skills (innovation, science and digital infrastructure) in 2010. She is co-chair of the Parliamentary ICT forum (Pictfor) and board member of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology. 5. Maggie Philbin, CEO, TeenTech CICMaggie Philbin has worked in radio and television for over 30 years on a wide range of science, medical and technology programmes. She is co-founder and CEO of TeenTech CIC, an award-winning organisation that helps young people, their parents and teachers understand more about the real opportunities in science and technology. In 2012, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from De Montfort University for her contribution to the intellectual and cultural life of the nation and for stimulating interest in science and technology. She reports on science and technology for the BBC’s Bang Goes The Theory, provides analysis and comment on technology for BBC Webwise, and is a regular reporter on BBC 1’s Inside Out. She has a unique resonance with audiences, having presented on much loved shows such as Swap Shop and Tomorrow’s World.
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