Over time, these gatherings have become an essential forum for senior women across the telecoms and technology sectors to share experiences, exchange knowledge, and explore new avenues for innovation. Each event builds momentum for meaningful and lasting change within the industry.
This latest session brought together women from a wide range of sectors including Defence, Emergency Services, Central Government and major Service Providers, creating a collaborative space where diverse perspectives and ideas could be shared openly. The event united women at every stage of their leadership journey, reinforcing a collective commitment to shaping the future of technology.
The WITL series was founded by Shani Latif, Sales Director at Telent, who recognised that although many platforms exist for women in technology, opportunities for senior female leaders to connect meaningfully remain limited. Her vision was to create a space where women could openly exchange ideas, share experiences, and champion innovation together.
Since its launch, WITL has grown into a catalyst for change encouraging attendees to think differently, discuss emerging trends, and advocate for increased representation. This event welcomed both long-standing members who have attended all eight sessions and new participants joining for the first time, enriching discussions with a mix of fresh perspectives and ongoing dialogues. Previous themes have included Social Value, Managing Change, Digital Transformation, and supporting young women in STEM.
Last Thursday’s session centred on: “Shaping a more inclusive future: exploring ways to foster respect and representation for women of all backgrounds in senior technology roles.” This theme reflects Telent’s commitment to ensuring diversity is not simply a concept but a lived reality creating workplaces where women can thrive, lead, and influence the future of the sector.
Shani Latif opened the event with an update on Telent, highlighting key achievements over the past year and sharing exciting progress since joining M Group. She emphasised Telent and M Group’s shared commitment to supporting women in technology leadership and embedding a culture of inclusion across the organisation. Inclusion, she noted, is a continuous journey requiring sustained dedication at every level.
Reinforcing one of Telent’s core values equally important across M Group, Shani underlined that fostering an inclusive environment is fundamental to Telent’s ongoing success and to shaping the future of technology leadership.
Naomi Bolton, Account Director, delivered a compelling talk on inclusion across policing and technology, drawing on her extensive experience in the Police Force. She illustrated how inclusive environments can transform hierarchical, traditionally male-dominated structures and highlighted the value of diverse perspectives in achieving better outcomes.
Referencing a 2023 McKinsey study, Naomi noted that organisations in the top quartile for ethnic and racial diversity were 39% more likely to outperform financially, with similar gains seen in gender-diverse teams. As Chair of techUK’s VAWG and RASSO Working Group, Naomi exemplifies leadership driving systemic change. She closed with practical guidance: be the role model you once needed, don’t let fear hold you back, be visible, be heard and support others by sharing your experiences.
Debbie Powell, Programme Director, shared her journey from BT’s graduate scheme to leading major IT enabled transformation programmes, including the Emergency Services Network.
In her session on “Driving Inclusion in Complex Programmes,” she explored the challenges of hierarchical environments and highlighted why inclusion is a critical success factor rather than a “soft skill.” Debbie demonstrated how simple, practical actions, creating space for quieter voices, modelling inclusive behaviours, and using senior influence effectively, can embed inclusion into programme delivery and enable high-performing teams. She emphasised that inclusion must be intentional, visible, and shared across the organisation, not left to a select few champions.
This event reaffirmed that diversity and representation are essential for innovation, collaboration, and long term success, ultimately driving better outcomes and greater profitability. At Telent, we believe that fostering respect, opportunity, and inclusion for everyone, regardless of background, is key to shaping the future of technology leadership. By continuing to share our knowledge and experiences, we can build a culture where every individual feels valued, empowered, and able to succeed.
- Maya Angelou