Written by Kathryn McKenna
Northern Ireland’s flagship Women in Tech Awards, which celebrates industry innovators and change-makers, is set to take place for the fourth consecutive year on Thursday 22 May.
Hosted by Women in Business at Belfast’s Europa Hotel, this year’s ceremony will bring together more than 300 guests from across the local business sphere to celebrate tech’s best-in-class for their positive impact on Northern Ireland’s thriving technology industry.
Speaking to Sync NI ahead of the deadline for award entries which remains open until Thursday, 3 April, Women in Business Managing Director Lorraine Acheson explains: “Women in Business is very well known for its Women in Business Awards which are now in their 13th year. But over that decade and more, we have seen the tech industry grow significantly in Northern Ireland and we want to not only recognise the size of the sector but also the importance of women working in the sector.
“We know that the tech sector here employs about 23,000 people with massive ambitions to grow. We also know it is the top investment location for US cyber. It is therefore a critical sector and a diverse workforce is critical to its continued success.”
Concerningly, women make up just 26 to 29 percent of the tech sector, with just five to six per cent of women in leadership positions. “This is why the Women in Tech Awards presents a real opportunity to shine a spotlight on the women working in the sector and provide inspirational role models to those who need them,” Lorraine explains.
The much-anticipated Women in Tech awards began almost four years ago, with the idea stemming from Lorna McAdoo, Group Director Environment, Social & Governance and Version 1 NI Lead, whom Lorraine hails as a “brilliant advocate and champion for all women in the tech sector.” Lorraine adds: “We were delighted with the interest and how much passion and talent is out there in Northern Ireland which continues to grow year on year.”
READ MORE: Entries open for Northern Ireland's 2025 Women in Tech Awards
Last year was the first time Apprentice of the Year was celebrated as a category, helping to shine a spotlight on all of the organisations who are introducing apprenticeships. The new award category comes as apprenticeships have proven vital both for young people and those returning to the workplace.
Lorraine acknowledges: “Apprenticeships work well for young people, but we are also seeing women returning to work via apprenticeships. Apprenticeships are a brilliant pathway into the tech sector and they provide growth opportunities for the organisations, but also for the individuals who are embarking upon them. Launching the
Apprenticeships category has been a particularly special addition to the awards and one that I am personally very proud of.”
You can’t be what you can’t see
In a bid to narrow the gender gap within the tech sector, it is believed more work needs to be done at a grassroots level in order to encourage more girls to study STEM subjects at school. This follows research by PwC which shows the gender gap can begin in schools where boys are more likely to be signposted to STEM roles as opposed to girls.
The Women in Tech Awards and Women in Business more broadly is helping to move the dial on this imbalance, with the awards themselves role modelling women who are already established within the sector, providing inspiration for young women at the start of their career journeys. This is further reinforced by award categories including Apprentice of the Year, as well as One to Watch, which shines a light on women under the age of 35 who are the leaders of the future.
Lorraine has been sitting on the Women in STEM Committee of the Department for the Economy for a number of years, and along with colleagues is involved in work being done to help encourage more young girls to study STEM subjects as young as primary school age. This work requires cross-departmental collaboration with input from key policymakers. Lorraine comments: “We need to look to our policymakers, particularly within the education sector, to be doing as much as possible to make these careers attractive to both girls and boys, because it is a thriving sector with amazing opportunities for the country as a whole, as well as for the individuals.”
Making an impact
Many leading local companies support the Women in Tech awards through sponsorship and by attending the event. In addition to praising Lorna McAdoo for her leadership, vision and work at Version 1 whose idea led to the awards being set up four years ago, Lorraine recognisesthe support of VANRATH and Managing Director Barbara McKiernan.
Northern Ireland's leading specialist recruitment agency has supported the Women in Tech awards since its debut, and every year sponsors the Outstanding Woman in Tech award, which many attendees regard as the pivotal moment of the night.
READ MORE: 13th Women in Business Awards celebrates remarkable achievements of female business leaders
With the last three winners including: Patricia O'Hagan (MBE), CEO and founder of Core Systems who Lorraine describes as a “phenomenal role model” and mentor; Colette Kidd, Chief People Officer at Kainos who has an “incredible career background and journey”; and most recently in 2024 Claire McGrath, Head of Digital and teacher at St Malachy's. “This line-up is fantastic to see because you have Patricia, who is a tech entrepreneur, Colette who is a leader in a large corporate and Claire who is an educator
“They're all very different women with very different stories, but they're all transforming the tech industry here in Northern Ireland and shaping its future in so many ways. I
think they've all been particularly important in the growth and the success of the Women in Tech Awards,” Lorraine emphasises.
Who should apply and how?
Industry innovators and changemakers are encouraged to enter the awards before the deadline of Thursday 3 April. Everyone working in tech can apply, with male categories including the critical Male Advocate of the Year award. This award recognises a male ally who is championing diversity, inclusion and supporting women in the tech sector.
In total, the 2025 Women in Tech award categories include: Outstanding Woman in Tech; Outstanding Apprentice; Digital Transformation Leader of the Year; Entrepreneur of the Year; Tech Team of the Year; C Level Woman of the Year; Green Impact Award; Male Advocate of the Year; Tech Advocate of the Year; and One to Watch in the Future.
“I think there is something for everybody,” Lorraine explains. “I would encourage anyone working in the tech sector to visit our Women in Business website, click on the Women in Tech Awards and have a read through to see which category appeals to you.
“As women, what we see amongst our Women in Business members and even from talking to friends and colleagues outside work, we are busy with our heads down, working hard and not always remembering to celebrate our success. That's why I love the Women in Tech awards. This is an opportunity to reflect on how well you have done individually or as a team and even have the chance to nominate a colleague or inspirational mentor. It is a significant opportunity to celebrate success.”
Lorraine concludes: “The night is a true celebration. It is brilliant to see the energy and the positivity in the room. If you are working in the tech sector and you know someone inspiring, please nominate them because it really can have a massive impact.”
For more information on the Women in Tech awards, including how to apply or make a nomination, go to: www.womeninbusinessni.com/events/women-in-tech-awards.
Check out The Tech Craic Podcast featuring Lorraine Acheson here:
