Breaking Barriers - Women In Tech Week Event

Join us for a relaxed, informal lunch as part of Women in Tech Week 2026, the UK's national movement (proudly powered by WeAreTechWomen)

Join Us for Breaking Barriers!

Brought to you by We Are Tech Women, Desk2Educate Ltd, StartUp Disruptors and Her Future In AI.

Hosted by the University of Southampton.

Join us for a relaxed, informal lunch as part of Women in Tech Week 2026, the UK's national movement (proudly powered by WeAreTechWomen) celebrating and championing the progression of women in technology. Supported by Desk2Educate and StartUp Disruptors.

This session draws on the Breaking Barriers theme — exploring the systemic obstacles women in tech and engineering face, and the lived experience of navigating and overcoming them.

Over lunch, we'll hear directly from two women who've spent their careers in tech and engineering, in conversation about:

• What it's actually been like to build a long career in a male-dominated industry

• The workplace culture and bias barriers they've navigated — and what's changed (and hasn't)

• What it takes to drive change from within, rather than around, the industry

Featuring speakers Becky Lodge and Natalie Haigh, this is a chance to connect, ask questions, and leave with honest insight — not just inspiration.

This event is free to attend for all women working in, or interested in, the tech industry.

• Wednesday 14th October 2026

• 12:00pm – 2:00pm - Registration is open at 12pm and the speaker panel will commence at 12.30pm.

• Refreshments provided after the event over networking. Event closes at 2pm.

Spaces are limited — please register below to secure your place.

Part of Women in Tech Week 2026, 12–16 October, in partnership with WeAreTechWomen.

Agenda:

“We've Always Been Here” — Building a Career in Tech and Engineering

1. The long view — the story of how Becky and Nat got started in tech

2. The barriers - Becky and Nat discuss the barriers for women in business and tech

3. What's changed, what hasn't — retention in tech and opportunities for women in 2026 and beyond

4. Driving change from within — what we are doing to change the landscape

5. Open floor Q&A

Speaker Panel:

Becky Lodge - Desk2Educate AI (Edtech) Tech Founder/Consultant

Becky Lodge has spent her career in tech and engineering, moving from a Sales Director-level role into founding her consulting practice in 2015, where she consults on regional innovation, SME growth, and digital transformation with universities and SMEs. She is degree and CIM qualified and holds a Masters-level AI Leadership qualification (2025), and her strategic advisory practice (beckylodge.co.uk) focuses on university, public sector, and innovation ecosystem design.

Becky was recognised on Women in Data's 'Twenty in Data and Tech' 2025 and Computer Weekly's Top 50 Influential UK Tech Leaders, and has worked directly with the UK Tech APPG and Parliament on advancing the tech industry. She is neurodiverse and in her early career worked in Formula One and radio broadcast software. She is also the founder of Desk2Educate an award winning edtech AI platform that helps NEET and SEND youngsters and adults into self-employment and employment.

Natalie Haigh - Her Future In AI CIC

Natalie Haigh is a technology strategist and entrepreneur with a Computer Science and Management degree from the University of London.

She ran her own software development company for 14 years before moving into her current role as a fractional CTO and business mentor at Mentoring Entrepreneurs, supporting purpose-driven founders to grow through creative tech and meaningful relationships. Natalie hosts the weekly The Technology Show on Voice FM , and was named on Computer Weekly's Most Influential Women in the UK Tech 2026 longlist.

Natalie co-founded Her Future in AI with Charlie Ruttle. Natalie is neurodiverse and has overcome multiple barriers to succeed as a coder and tech designer and advocate.

Charlie Ruttle - Founder of Her Future in AI CIC

Charlie will be hosting the conversation

Charlie is an AI literacy advocate, speaker and founder of Her Future in AI.

She helps small businesses understand and use AI confidently, responsibly and without the jargon. As a neurodivergent woman working in technology, Charlie is passionate about making AI education more inclusive, accessible and human-centred.

With a practical, people-first approach to technology, Charlie brings honest conversations, curiosity and lived experience to the rapidly changing world of AI. She champions greater inclusion in tech and believes everyone deserves the knowledge and confidence to participate in shaping our AI-powered future.

Breaking Barriers: Powered by Collaboration

We’re delighted to be partnering with the University of Southampton for Breaking Barriers, a tech event celebrating innovation, opportunity and the incredible women shaping the future of technology as part of Women in Tech Week.

As a valued collaboration partner, the University of Southampton is supporting the event by providing the venue and refreshments, helping us create a welcoming space where technology professionals, innovators and aspiring talent can come together, connect and be inspired.

We’re proud to bring Breaking Barriers to one of the University’s facilities and grateful for their support in helping make this event possible.

Together, we’re creating connections, challenging perceptions and breaking barriers in tech.

WeAreTechWomen is proud to present the third annual UK Women in Tech Week, taking place from October 12th to 16th. Once again, the week aligns with Ada Lovelace Day, which falls on the second Tuesday of October. This nationwide initiative brings together a vibrant line-up of virtual and in-person events celebrating the impact of women across the tech industry.

In partnership with leading organisations and Women in Tech networks, the week will offer inspiring panels, practical workshops, and meaningful networking opportunities. Through our website, attendees can easily book their spots for these events.

This event in SOUTHAMPTON is part of the official calendar of events which you can see here.

Headline sponsor for the week in 2026 is Lloyds Banking Group.