She Can Code

In the past year, I completed an MBA with distinction while working full time in a fast-moving insurance software business undergoing major transformation, and stepped into my first director role in technology. It has been a lot, but it is what I wanted. More importantly, I have always told my employer exactly where my ambitions lie. In my experience, women are often less direct about what they want, and that is a mistake.

The narrative around careers in tech often focuses on skills shortages, wage growth and rapid innovation. While all of these are true, they only tell part of the story. Behind every job description sits a more nuanced reality about what tech employers are genuinely prioritising and, crucially, what separates candidates who get hired from those who don’t. So, what are recruiters looking for today?

Mariia Rymer is a Senior Product Designer at Object First, with 5+ years of experience creating user-centred digital products, currently based in Warsaw (originally from Ukraine). Mariia design mobile apps, web platforms, and complex multi-page systems with a focus on usability, clarity, and product impact. About two years ago, I was looking for an opportunity to join a product company that creates meaningful value for its customers. I wanted to work on a product with real impact.

SaaS is no longer a niche corner of tech, but the infrastructure powering how modern businesses operate. From customer platforms to data systems and automation tools, it sits at the centre of a rapidly accelerating digital economy, increasingly shaped by AI. As that influence grows, so does the scale of opportunity for those building in the space, with careers spanning engineering, product, design, go-to-market and operations.

Jil Birgel is a Senior Associate at Alvarez & Marsal Digital Transformation Services, based in Hamburg. With more than five years of experience as a management consultant, Jil has established herself as a dedicated financial services professional, excelling in IT transformation and operational excellence within the financial sector. She has extensive experience in digital strategy, IT project management, core banking / software migration and business process management.

Ahanna Anaba is a trade and finance professional leading global sales and partnerships at Finverity, a UK-based supply chain finance fintech helping banks and lenders close the $2.5 trillion trade finance gap through technology. She is the Founder of the Women in Trade Network, a community of 600+ senior women across Africa and the global trade ecosystem.

AI is changing the way organisations build and run their software, and that shift is putting DevOps engineering at the centre of how teams work today. As businesses modernise their systems, they need engineers who can support continuous improvement at scale. Yet, 32 per cent of businesses cite a lack of specialist skills as a major barrier to their tech hiring, including the cloud engineers and DevOps specialists needed to support automation testing services and modern software development.

I’m a software developer who enjoys learning new things, solving problems and taking on challenges. My journey into technology has involved a mixture of formal study, an apprenticeship with the MOD, personal projects and working on real-world applications. Along the way, I’ve developed experience across both frontend and backend development, as well as an interest in design, accessibility and creating user-friendly experiences.

Hannah Hagon is the Founder and Author of Unplugged Tots. Unplugged Tots supports children, families, schools and businesses with screen free activities and experiences that introduce computational thinking concepts in children from the age of 2½ to teens. She is also a Co-Director of STEAM Arena CIC providing 0-18 year old’s from under-represented sectors of society with quality STEAM experiences. I created my role as Founder of Unplugged Tots out of sheer necessity; it was completely unplanned.

After an extensive review process and an incredible showcase of talent, dedication, and innovation, we are excited to celebrate the remarkable individuals and organisations that have made a significant impact in the tech industry. A huge thank you to all our nominees, voters, and supporters! The calibre of talent this year has been exceptional, making the decision process incredibly challenging.