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Girl Tech expands across England as 2,000 join scheme

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Ahead Partnership said its Girl Tech programme has helped more than 2,000 young women explore digital careers, expanding from Leeds into several regions across England.

Launched nine years ago, the scheme now operates in London, the North West, the North East and the West Midlands, alongside its original base in Leeds. According to Ahead Partnership, 90% of last year’s participants left interested in pursuing tech and digital roles.

Girl Tech aims to reach young women before they make key GCSE subject choices. It focuses on direct employer engagement, practical activities and access to role models working in the sector.

Support for the initiative has widened as it has grown. Netcompany is the national sponsor, while other employers and institutions involved include Optum, SCC, Sulzer, Tokamak Energy, Asda, Currys, Grainger Hub and the University of Westminster.

The expansion comes as policymakers and employers sharpen their focus on the skills needed for wider AI adoption and digital growth. Research cited by the organisers points to persistent barriers, including weak digital literacy, uneven access to training and unequal participation in technology careers.

Skills England has estimated that AI adoption could add up to GBP £400 billion to the UK economy by 2030, while warning that workforce preparedness is lagging. That has intensified debate over how to widen routes into digital work and improve representation in a sector where women remain under-represented.

The organisers argue that earlier intervention in education is critical. By targeting pupils before they make important academic choices, the programme is designed to shape how young women view the technology sector and whether they see a place for themselves in it.

Early intervention

Ahead Partnership, which describes itself as a social value specialist, said demand for the scheme has grown among both schools and employers. Businesses are seeking practical ways to address gender imbalance in technology roles before the recruitment stage, it said.

That employer-led approach is now central to the programme’s design. Companies provide volunteers, role models and exposure to real workplace experiences, giving students a view of jobs and career paths that might otherwise feel remote.

Supporters of the model say that matters because many barriers emerge well before people enter the labour market. Subject choices, confidence and a lack of visible representation can all narrow options at a young age.

Suzie Bell, Programme Manager, Ahead Partnership, said: “As one of the fastest growing and most opportune sectors in the UK, we need to ensure young women are equipped with the right tools and knowledge to explore careers in tech at the right time in their academic journey. Against unwavering gender disparity across the field and growing demand for new skills and talent, we give women access to the right role models, information and resources ahead of making big decisions about their career pathways. We’re demystifying the sector in a way that ensures young women have equal access to the opportunities within it, no matter their background. Nine years since our first Girl Tech, the appetite among our partners and business volunteers to help shape a more inclusive future for the sector continues to grow, marking our biggest year of activity to date. At a critical point for the future of tech, this enthusiasm for change is encouraging; we’re committed to harnessing this drive for the benefit of the sector, the economy and all young people.”

Employer backing

Corporate support has helped the programme grow from a local initiative into a broader national model. For employers, the appeal lies in building awareness of digital careers among pupils who might not otherwise consider the sector.

Netcompany, one of the businesses backing the scheme, said its support reflects a long-term view of workforce development. The focus is less on immediate hiring and more on influencing who enters the pipeline in future years.

Richard Davies, UK Country Managing Partner, Netcompany, said: “Netcompany’s multi-year commitment to Girl Tech reflects our dedication to equalising opportunities within tech and digital sectors – a programme which has been consistently ahead of the curve and generates real results for young people. While Girl Tech has reached an important milestone, its true impact will be measured in the years ahead, as more young women step into careers in tech.”

The issue has drawn national attention as ministers and industry groups examine how to increase women’s participation in technology and innovation. Organisers of programmes such as Girl Tech argue that local engagement, employer involvement and earlier exposure can help tackle skills shortages while improving diversity.

For now, the programme’s headline measure is straightforward: more than 2,000 young women have taken part, and Ahead Partnership said most recent participants left with an interest in a digital career.



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Rosa’s Thai is giving away 4000 free Pad Thais to students

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Celebrating both GCSE and A-Level Results Days, the chain will offer the popular dish to students who buy one of its bubble teas.

The free offer is available at all 42 Rosa’s Thai restaurants across England and Wales.

To avail of the free noodles, students need to register on Rosa’s Thai website for a unique code, which they should present at the restaurant together with a copy of their results.

Rosa’s Thai has a new range of bubble tea flavours, including Ube-Taro, Matcha-Coconut, Mango Sticky Rice, and Milo Chocolate Milk, as well as favourites like Home-brewed Thai Tea with Tapioca, and Lychee Mango with mango boba.

Students can sign up for their free Pad Thai at rosasthai.com/result-day-free-pad-thai and find their nearest restaurant at rosasthai.com/locations.





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Historic coin company enters administration after 20 years

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The London Mint Office, which distributes commemorative coins and medals, appointed administrators on July 31 after 20 years in business.

The company’s website now displays a message confirming the appointment of Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP as joint administrators.

A spokesman for Alvarez and Marsal said: “On July 31 2026, Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators of The London Mint Office Limited in administration (the “Company”).

“Regrettably, the Company’s liquidity challenges have led to a number of immediate redundancies. We are supporting the affected employees through the redundancy process.


What Happens When a Company Goes Into Administration?


“The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Joint Administrators who act as agents of the Company and without personal liability.”

The announcement confirms that it is no longer possible to purchase coins or medals through the company’s website.

The London Mint Office operates a distribution centre in Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, where it employs a significant number of people.

Administration is a formal insolvency process triggered when a business cannot meet its financial obligations.

An insolvency practitioner is appointed to manage the company’s affairs and may attempt to restructure the business or sell off assets to repay creditors.


What happens when a company goes into Liquidation?


Founded in 2006, The London Mint Office describes itself as “one of the UK’s most trusted suppliers of historic, commemorative, and collector coins.”

It is part of Samlerhuset AS, a Norwegian company based near Oslo and one of Europe’s largest distributors of commemorative coins and medals.

Samlerhuset’s website states that it offers “provide a wide range of coins from ancient to modern, originating from virtually every country in the world.”

The London Mint Office has advised anyone with an interest in the company’s assets to contact the administrators at INS_THLMOL@alvarezandmarsal.com.





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Warning of new rules for Aldi and Lidl after watchdog review

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The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally decided that both discounters should be added to the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010, which currently applies to Asda, Co-op, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose.

This order is designed to prevent large grocery retailers from using land agreements to block competitors from opening nearby stores, often through restrictive covenants or exclusivity terms.

Juliette Enser, executive director of competition enforcement and markets at the CMA, said: “We want everyone to have the best choice of supermarket and range of prices when buying their groceries.

“To ensure this happens, we put rules in place to prevent big supermarket chains blocking rival stores from opening nearby – and now we propose applying those rules to Aldi and Lidl too.

“This is about allowing shoppers to choose where they spend their money and levelling the playing field for all major supermarkets.

“Today’s proposals are provisional and we welcome views before deciding the best way forward.”

The CMA’s review found that Aldi, Lidl GB, and Lidl NI now meet the criteria of ‘Large Grocery Retailers’ (LGRs) due to their store footprint, nationwide presence, procurement model, and the breadth of their grocery range.

Aldi and Lidl were originally excluded from the 2010 order as ‘limited assortment discounters’, offering a smaller selection of products compared to traditional supermarkets.

However, the CMA’s provisional findings indicate that this is no longer the case.

All three now operate large grocery stores, each with more than 1,000 square metres of shop floor space, and offer a full range of products, though with less category choice than some competitors.

They also purchase goods directly from suppliers through integrated wholesaling.

With the UK grocery market estimated to be worth £215 billion, Aldi and Lidl are now ranked among the top five retailers by market share.

The CMA is seeking feedback from stakeholders before reaching a final decision.

Aldi and Lidl could join the other supermarket chains later this year.

The CMA is inviting views until 5pm on Monday, September 7, 2026, and will issue its final decision in the autumn after reviewing responses.

If the discounters are included under the order, they will be prevented from using land agreements to limit competition from other supermarket chains.

The CMA aims to ensure competition across the grocery sector to give shoppers more choice and competitive pricing by removing obstacles to new store openings.





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