Manchester will host the official launch of Women in Tech Week 2026 as part of a six-event programme bringing together women working in technology, industry leaders, employers and allies from across the city.
Taking place nationwide from 12th–16th October, Women in Tech Week returns for its third year with more than 100 events across the UK and online, many free to attend. The national initiative aims to help more women enter, remain and progress within the technology sector.
The week will officially open in Manchester on 12th October with Breaking Barriers, Building the Future, hosted by headline sponsor Lloyds Banking Group at Westminster House.
Dr Vanessa Vallely OBE, Founder and CEO of WeAreTechWomen, will set the context for the week one year after the publication of the Lovelace Report, which found that women are leaving technology roles at twice the rate of men.
Manchester’s Women in Tech Week programme also includes:
Breaking Barriers: Navigating the next steps in your tech career, hosted by PwC on 12th October. The interactive breakfast will explore subjects including personal visibility, mentors and sponsors, workplace culture and using AI to strengthen your voice and impact
Future-proofing your career in the age of AI and data, hosted by Nimble Approach on 12th October. Technology and data leaders from the University of Manchester, Flutter UK & Ireland, ScottishPower Electricity North West, Nimble Approach and Databricks will discuss how roles are changing and the skills women need to develop
Data Decoded MCR, at Manchester Central on 13th and 14th October. The two-day event will bring together data and AI leaders, engineers, architects and practitioners to examine AI adoption, governance, automation, analytics and modern data platforms
MageCamp: Women in Ecommerce, on 13th October. The free event will feature lightning talks, small-group discussions and networking for women working across ecommerce and technology at every stage of their careers
Future-proofing your career: AI, leadership and the next generation of tech talent, hosted by Accenture at Circle Square on 13th October. The evening will connect senior technology leaders, employers, educators and emerging talent to discuss how AI is changing careers and how the industry can support its future workforce
The programme comes amid continued concern about the retention and progression of women in technology. The 2025 Lovelace Report, produced by WeAreTechWomen and Oliver Wyman, estimated that women leaving technology roles or moving between employers costs the UK technology sector between £2 billion and £3.5 billion each year.
Vallely added: “Women in technology do not need more warm words about the scale of the problem; they need access to skills, networks and opportunities that help them move forward.
“Women in Tech Week brings that support together and makes it available free of charge across the country. Whether someone is considering their first technology role, returning after a career break or preparing to move into leadership, there will be practical opportunities for them to learn, connect and take their next step.”
“If we want the UK to remain globally competitive, we need more women entering, staying and progressing within the technology sector.”
The full national Women in Tech Week 2026 event calendar and further information can be found on its dedicated website.
