Speakers

Sheila Flavell CBE is President of techUK, a member of the UK Government's Digital Skills Council, Chief Operating Officer and an Executive Board Director of FDM Group. She has spent 32 years operating within the international IT space. As a 'woman returner' who has had to overcome several challenges in her working life, she is passionate about enhancing diversity, equality, fairness and inclusivity within today's workplace. She believes in tech as a viable and successful career path for all. In response to this, she has set up the FDM Returners Programme, which has grown to become the leading destination of choice for people looking to return to work within the IT sector. As a prominent female tech leader, Sheilaâ understands the importance of being a strongâ role model and mentor for women looking toâ progress their career in tech.

Her business experience has been key inâ driving FDM Group's global expansionâ programme, as well as establishing theâ company's listing on the FTSE 250 in 2017.

Sheila continues to advise Governmentâ committees on improving the digital skillsâ shortage and gender pay gap in the UK. She isâ also immensely proud of FDM's achievementâ in attaining a zero gender pay gap every yearâ since reporting was introduced. Her work hasâ also been widely recognised. She was awardedâ 'Commander of the Order of the Britishâ Empire' in the 2020 New Year's Honours list,â for services to gender equality in technologyâ and services to graduate and returners'â employment.

Other awards and recognitions include:

• Computer Weekly's 'Most Influential Womenâ in UK IT' Hall of Fame
• 25 most influential women in Northâ America's mid-market by CEO Connection (4â years running)
• Lifetime achievement award by Scotlandâ Women in Technology
• Computing's Woman of the Year
• Woman of the Year at the Information Ageâ Women in IT Awards
• Tech Champion at the TechWomen100â Awards
• UK's Inspiring 50 of 2018
• Leader of the Year at the everywoman inâ Technology Awards
• 100 Women Role Models in Tech byâ Business Cloud
• Top 30 Most Inspirational Femaleâ Entrepreneurs in the City, Brummell Magazine
• Editors' Choice Award at the Women in ITâ Awards