Why women are reshaping the tech landscape
We’re FDM, an award-winning global business and technology consultancy. For over 30 years we’ve been powering the people behind tech and innovation. We collaborate with world-leading companies to identify the expertise they need, exactly when they need it.
We have helped successfully launch nearly 25,000 careers globally and are a trusted partner to over 200 companies worldwide.
This month we celebrated International Women’s Day. Throughout March we created, shared and hosted several women in tech initiatives, but our commitment to gender diversity extends far beyond March, as evidenced by our daily efforts at FDM. It is a collective responsibility that we champion through our work daily. In the tech sector, where influence is significant, proactive diversity and inclusion are imperative.
🥁 Here’s what to expect:
What does #InspireInclusion mean to you?
Join Emily Canning, one of our Senior Account Managers at FDM as she kickstarts the International Women’s Day celebrations by asking our London centre colleagues what this year's theme means to them.
'Inspiring inclusion means giving women a powerful voice in the room, which has enabled us to build a fantastic business that we see today.' - Andrew Brown, CCO at FDM Group
Watch here.
Our Gender Pay Gap results are here!
Did you know, that eliminating the gender gap penalty can boost total earnings in the UK by up to £55 billion every year? Yep, that’s right.
Unfortunately however, the gap seems to be widening. A recent Start Up magazine article has reported that the UK’s gender pay gap extended to 14.5%, dropping them from 13th to 17th ranking in PwC’s Women in Work Index. This is the largest annual fall in rankings by any OECD country this year.
At FDM, we’re pleased to announce in 2023 our mean gender pay gap was -4%.
Our gender pay gap report highlights our successes in driving our diversity agenda, including the news that we ranked 34th on the UK Government’s Social Mobility Index for 2023. Our work around gender equality is taking place on a global scale, with 32% of all employees identifying as female.
Start Up magazine spoke with FDM’s Chief Operating Officer Sheila Flavell CBE, to get her thoughts. She said:
“It is disheartening to see the gender pay gap widening across industry and highlights that many businesses across all sectors are falling behind the curve when it comes to fair and equal pay. Providing equal opportunities in the workplace encompasses job opportunities, coaching, support and guidance, but fair pay is a driving factor for many employees and a widening gap will only drive more women away from important sectors like technology.”
Read their full article here.
Tech Together with techUK
In the lead up to International Women's Day we ran a video series in collaboration with techUK. This was part of their Tech Together campaign, aiming to highlight all forms of diversity and inclusion needed to foster equal opportunities in the tech sector and beyond.
Four of our incredible women leaders across the business were invited to share their thoughts on how we can better support those in the sector as industry leaders.
Part 1: Social Mobility with Kate Hawthorn, Director of Consultant Talent - check it out here
Part 2: Career Development with Gangotri Bhatt, Head of Training, UK & EMEA - check it out here
Part 3: Gender Equality with Sheila Flavell CBE, COO at FDM Group and President at techUK - check it out here
Part 4: Corporate Allies with Rim Almaliki, Head of Academy in North America - check it out here
Inspiring an inclusive workforce in tech
This year we celebrated International Women’s Day with an ‘Inspiring Inclusion’ event at our London centre.
After hosting over 100 attendees, two panel sessions, multiple Q&A sessions and extensive networking opportunities, valuable contributions were made, diverse opinions shared and insightful lessons learned. Participants engaged in meaningful discussions spanning various topics such as DE&I strategies, career advancement, talent retention, bias mitigation, parental leave, imposter syndrome, and menopause, drawing from a wide array of generational, industrial and ethical perspectives.
Our first panel session focused on mentorship: having the confidence as a woman to be a role model to mentees, being open to explore mentors with different opinions and expertise and how universities and employers can collaborate to provide mentorship networks. Our second panel discussed the current lack of support for women as they age: issues such as childcare, menopause and caring for parents and needing flexible career support through each stage of life. This support comes from supportive co-workers who understand the challenges of achieving a work-life balance and managers who facilitate flexibility and address mental wellbeing.
Check out a video from the event here.
Check out our global She Lives Tech Bootcamps
Our She Lives Tech bootcamps serve as a gateway for young students to explore a career in tech. Participants gain proficiency in web page development using HTML, CSS, and Figma, empowering them with foundational skills.
Comprising three key segments, the bootcamps began with an engaging ice breaker workshop, followed by training sessions with touchpoints throughout. Participants were invited to FDM's 'Inspire an Inclusive Workforce in Tech' event. Here, they had the opportunity to present their websites and innovative ideas to industry leaders.
The bootcamps were held across our global centres - from Australia partnering with leading bank ANZ to Hong Kong's enthusiastic participation, and North America’s virtual event with participants from all over the country.
The presentations showcased a variety of projects, from hotel booking websites to apps promoting volunteering. Attendees left with certificates, goodies, and valuable skills to jumpstart their tech careers. We hope these experiences inspire ambition, driving participants towards successful careers in tech. FDM looks forward to potentially welcoming these talented individuals into our teams, as they contribute to our journey of innovation and inclusivity.
Check out a video from our UK She Lives Tech bootcamps here.
We have an exciting new announcement...coming soon.
🔗 You might also be interested in:
🌟 What’s been happening at FDM:
🌍 EMEA:
🌏 APAC:
🌎 North America:
👉 Next month’s edition
In next month’s edition of fast4ward in tech, we will be showcasing our new brand identity; what’s changed, why have we rebranded, behind the scenes and much more.
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The gender wage gap for many working mothers start when they're pregnant; the pregnancy and motherhood penalty are taxes that set women on a path towards pay inequity. Not only do workplaces need cultural reformation, employers can enact tangible policies such as #paidparentalleave to close the gender gap. Paid parental leave keeps working mothers in the workforce, financially supports them, and equitable coverage also increases their earning potential.