Today we’re celebrating Ada Lovelace Day! A day dedicated to the women shaping the world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).
Ada Lovelace is often called the world’s first computer programmer. In the 1800s, she worked alongside Charles Babbage on the design of the Analytical Engine - the foundation for the computers we rely on today. But what made Ada remarkable wasn’t just her technical genius. It was her vision. She imagined a future where technology could be more than a calculator. It could create, communicate, and even compose.
Nearly 200 years later, Ada’s legacy continues to inspire. But as we celebrate her contribution, the Lovelace Report 2025 reminds us that there’s still work to do.
The Challenge: Why Women Are Leaving Tech
The Lovelace Report 2025, published by revealed that between 40,000 and 60,000 women leave UK tech roles every year. That’s a staggering £2-£3.5 billion loss to the economy. Every single year.
And the reasons? They’re not what you might expect.
Only 3% of women said caring responsibilities were the main reason for leaving. Instead, many pointed to deeper structural issues:
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Lack of career progression (25%)
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Lack of recognition (17%)
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Pay inequality (15%)
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Toxic or exclusionary cultures (8%)
Women in tech aren’t short of skill or ambition. What’s missing are the systems that support, reward and retain them.
This isn’t a pipeline issue - it’s a retention crisis.
From Awareness to Action
The Lovelace Report 2025 doesn’t just highlight the challenge - it offers a blueprint for change.
It shows how organisations can start making real, lasting improvements to attract, retain and progress women in tech.
Here are three key actions that stand out:
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Support and sponsor mid-level women. Spot women who’ve been in the same role for years and give them the visibility, development and sponsorship they need to move forward.
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Champion senior women and their achievements. Nominate women for awards, give them stretch opportunities and make their impact visible across your business.
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Build fair, bias-free career maps. Create clear routes to progression that link directly to pay, learning, and opportunity - for everyone.
These are practical, low-cost actions that can make a big difference, especially at a time when the UK tech sector is already facing a skills shortage of 98,000–120,000 professionals.
Celebrating Women in Tech Week 2025
This Ada Lovelace Day falls right in the middle of Women in Tech Week (13th–17th October 2025) - an amazing week led by WeAreTechWomen, with over 80 free events focused on learning, connection and celebration.
As part of the week, we’re proud to be hosting our own event: From Inaction to Action: A Leadership Session for Empowering Women in Tech. Co-hosted by Mark Harris (Sales Director & Gender Equity Ambassador) at Outsource UK and Karen Blake (co-Author of the Lovelace Report, Digital Inclusion & Policy Specialist, and former co-CEO at Tech Talent Charter)
We’ll be bringing together executive leaders in Tech and People functions to turn insights from the Lovelace Report into meaningful, practical strategies that can help women stay, progress and lead.
Ada’s Legacy: A Call to Keep Going
Ada Lovelace once said that imagination is “the discovering faculty” - the thing that drives progress forward.
Today, her story reminds us that innovation depends on diversity and that the best ideas come from inclusive teams where everyone has the opportunity to contribute.
As an inclusive talent solutions partner, we’re proud to help organisations move from awareness to action - building workforces where women are not just represented, but recognised and rewarded!
Because the best way to honour Ada’s legacy isn’t just to celebrate it - it’s to continue it.
Ready to turn Inaction into Action?
Explore the Lovelace Report 2025 and discover how you can help build a tech industry where women stay, progress, and lead.
Take part in Women in Tech Week by joining some of the incredible events happening throughout the week - all focused on learning and driving real change.
And if you’re ready to move from ideas to impact, get in touch with Mark Harris, Sales Director & Gender Equity Ambassador, to explore how Outsource UK can help you create a more inclusive and future-ready tech workforce.
📞 07810 392994 | ✉️ MHarris@outsource-uk.co.uk | 💻 Connect with me on LinkedIn
