Accelerate Action: Championing The Female Voices Across Our Industry

3 min read07 March

Ahead of International Women’s Day this weekend, Mobile UK is celebrating the female pioneers across the UK’s telecoms industry. This year’s theme is ‘Accelerate Action’ emphasising the importance of gender equal work, free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. Here, some of our female industry leaders share their views on the importance of gender equality within the telecoms sector:

Kirsty Baxter-Smith, Director of Operational Resilience and Service Management at BT Group

“It’s not just the right thing to do because it’s fair – now more than ever in our complicated, post-Covid world, we also need diverse thought leadership, new ideas and new ways of thinking. And we need to represent our customers and make sure that we’re fit for our country’s future.”

Priyanka Jaiswal, Director of People Propositions at Three UK

“At Three, we recognise the role we must play in helping to promote and drive for gender equality across the telecommunications sector which is why we are cultivating an environment where women feel supported to grow and excel in their careers. Women’s unique viewpoints, shaped by their lived experiences, provide a diverse perspective that can enrich decision-making processes and foster innovation. We believe a diverse workforce that reflects our customer base is key to reaching our goals, making smarter decisions, and driving business growth.”

Jeanie York, Chief Technology Officer at Virgin Media O2

“The adage is true – you can’t be what you can’t see. That’s why I’m passionate about sharing how rewarding a career in this industry can be, and do all I can to support more women to get into tech and telco roles. It’s a great place for women to learn, grow, and thrive, where you can be successful, while staying true to who you are and what you believe.”

Nicki Lyons, Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer at Vodafone

“Achieving gender equality is crucial for the telco sector to keep innovating and growing. Seeing equal representation of women in the workplace and in leadership positions isn’t just about numbers, it drives real change and opportunity. I’m hugely proud of what we’ve achieved at Vodafone, and the progress the wider industry has made. However, there is still more to be done to achieve not only gender equality, but equity, in the workplace. We continue to be focussed on breaking down barriers and empowering everyone to thrive in a really exciting sector.”

Lucie Smith, Director of Programmes at Digital Mobile Spectrum Ltd

"Gender equality is not just a moral imperative, it's a strategic advantage. Diverse teams drive creative solutions and a more dynamic and resilient sector. We need to not only inspire the next generation of women, but also support women working in the sector today by creating inclusive environments where everyone can thrive."

Helen Milner OBE, Group CEO at Good Things Foundation

"Technology careers go beyond engineering and developing - using tech for social good is vital for the future, and we need women to join the movement. At Good Things, we champion digital inclusion so all women can thrive. To the next generation: your voice and ideas matter - let's shape the future."