Voting has opened for Computer Weekly’s 2026 list of the 50 Most Influential Women in UK Technology. This annual initiative aims to highlight prominent role models in the tech sector, encouraging more women and underrepresented groups to consider careers in the industry. The goal is to foster a more diverse and inclusive technology landscape.
The longlist, initially comprising over 850 women, was evaluated by an expert judging panel to select the final shortlist of 50 candidates. Readers now have the opportunity to cast their votes for the woman they believe deserves the top position. The winner of this prestigious accolade will be announced at an event in London this October, organized in collaboration with recruitment specialist Harvey Nash.
Beyond the top 50 list, judges also annually select women for the Computer Weekly Women in Tech Hall of Fame. This recognition honors their lifetime achievements and continuous contributions to the technology sector.
Recognizing Tech Leadership
This year’s Hall of Fame inductees include Naomi Timperley, last year’s winner of the top influential woman title. Charlene Hunter, CEO and founder of Coding Black Females, and Anna Brailsford, CEO of Code First Girls, are also recognized for their significant impact.
Additional honorees include Melanie Dawes, chief executive of Ofcom, and Janet Collyer, chair of Quantum Dice. Alice Bentinck, co-founder of Entrepreneur First, and Toni Scullion, a computing science teacher and founder of dressCode, also join this distinguished group.
The list further features Edwina Dunn, commissioner for the Geospatial Commission and founder of The Female Lead. Emma Wright, director of the Institute of AI and partner at Crowell & Moring, is also inducted. Beckie Taylor, founder of Voices in Tech, and Anne Keast-Butler, director of GCHQ, are celebrated for their contributions.
Arfah Farooq, scout at Ada Ventures and founder of Muslamic Makers, along with Sian John, partner in cyber security at EY, join the Hall of Fame. Bindi Karia, venture partner at Molten Ventures, and Gill Whitehead, a non-executive director, are also among the inductees. Jess Wade, a Royal Society University research fellow, and Carolyn Dawson, CEO of Founders Forum Group, complete this year’s esteemed selections.
Reader Participation Shapes the Outcome
Computer Weekly readers play an important role in determining the final rankings. Their votes will carry the same weight as that of one judge, providing input from UK IT professionals into the order of the list. This combines expert assessment with public opinion to create a comprehensive ranking.
The voting process is straightforward, allowing readers to select their choice from the shortlisted 50 women. This initiative underscores the persistent funding gap for women founders and highlights the importance of visibility in addressing systemic barriers that many women entrepreneurs face in the tech sector.
The deadline for casting votes is midnight on 21 September 2026. After this date, the judging panel’s decision will be combined with the reader votes to finalize the list. This collaborative approach aims to present a definitive ranking of the most influential women in UK technology, providing crucial recognition and inspiration for others in the field, especially given ongoing finance gaps.
The final decision on the list rests with the editor, ensuring the integrity and quality of the annual recognition. Readers can vote now to contribute to this significant industry benchmark.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech list?
It is an annual list highlighting 50 prominent women in the UK technology sector. It aims to promote role models and increase diversity within the industry.
How are the women selected for the list?
An expert judging panel assesses a longlist to create a shortlist of 50. Reader votes are then combined with the judges’ decisions to determine the final ranking.
When does voting close for the 2026 list?
Voting for the 2026 Most Influential Women in UK Technology list closes at midnight on 21 September 2026.
Who are some of the Hall of Fame inductees this year?
This year’s inductees include Naomi Timperley, Charlene Hunter, Anna Brailsford, Melanie Dawes, Janet Collyer, and Emma Wright, among others.
Why does Computer Weekly create this list?
The list aims to make women in tech more visible and accessible, hoping to inspire more women and underrepresented groups to pursue careers in the technology sector.
