International Women's Day: Promoting a better balance is good for growth

I became the Managing Director of Public Digital last year – a female MD of a company in an industry not known for gender balance. In the UK tech industry, women represent 26% of the workforce, whilst a dismal 5% of leadership positions are held by women.

Had it not been for PD’s inclusive culture, supportive teams and flexible ways of working, I wouldn’t have taken on this role. Every day, women are forced to step back from organisations that don’t have a culture that allows them to balance work and family life.

This year, International Women’s Day 2025 is a call to #AccelerateAction – a call to move beyond conversation and take real steps towards gender equality. At PD, we aren't just talking about change, we're embedding it in how we work.

Gender equality spurs economic growth

Inclusion isn't just the right thing to do – it also makes economic sense. Having more women in the workforce drives innovation, boosts productivity and strengthens decision-making, but we don’t need the research to show us that. PD has grown 40% in one year while adopting gender equity practices and fair ways of working. Currently, 62% of our employees are women and more than half are parents. Hybrid working is standard. We provide over six weeks of holiday and a flexible working culture that makes space for the challenges that working parents and carers encounter.

Diversity promotes better design

We believe digital transformation isn’t just about technology; it’s about people. It’s about getting the culture, processes and business models right to make better technology choices. The way we shape leadership teams and build inclusive cultures determines the success of our digital services. Diverse teams bring different perspectives, ensure the underrepresented are given a voice and make sure technology and services work for everyone.

Women in digital leadership

That’s why we actively support initiatives that empower women in digital leadership, such as our recent partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to design and deliver a study tour in the UK for women leading digital transformation across Ukraine.

To close the gap, we need more women in leadership shaping digital strategy—whether in government, business or technology. This won’t happen by accident. Mentorship, sponsorship and fair hiring practices must be prioritised to drive real change.

That’s why, on IWD, I’m taking a moment to appreciate how far we’ve come and to celebrate the women who have paved the way for a more inclusive digital future. Digital transformation can and should be a force for inclusion.