The event will explore the leadership challenges created by the pandemic, climate crisis, ESG & emerging tech

Diversity Tech Summit is back with a bang after a six-year hiatus as it brings together tech trailblazers, social entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and political stakeholders powering the British technology sector. Despite more money than ever flowing into UK tech, up 156% by the end of last year reaching £29.4 billion*, the tech scene faces its own challenges around diverse representation and under-funding of women-led ventures, which the Summit aims to tackle.

Spearheaded by equality and inclusion charity Diversity UK, the summit features a range of compelling panel sessions on topics as diverse as ‘technology to tackle global challenges’, ‘where are all the Black founders? and ‘levelling up’.

In partnership with global law firm Eversheds Sutherland, Wavelength, global communications consultancy Ketchum, and the popular Asians in Tech index, the event will take place in London on Wednesday 6th July 2022. The Summit will also see the return of the coveted Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech List. Celebrating the brightest names in the industry from the past year, the list includes start-up founders, technologists, investors, digital influencers in business and social enterprise.

Marking its eighth anniversary, the list is proud to be a beacon in the industry, celebrating diversity in its broadest sense by highlighting the ground-breaking business models, apps, platforms, funding and support networks being pioneered by Asian digital entrepreneurs, from all walks of life, in Britain.

With five categories on offer including AI, Business, Life Sciences, Start-Ups and Investors, the Top 100 List has evolved to introduce new categories which reflect the monumental importance that sectors like health and AI have played during the pandemic. Last year more than 60 per cent of the list were new entrants and 52 were women, recognising the progressive nature of the rankings.

Commenting on the launch of the Diversity Tech Summit and Top 100 Asian Stars in Tech 2022 List, digital entrepreneur Lopa Patel MBE, Chair, Diversity UK, said: “It’s fantastic to be back in full force to re-energise the tech sector in the UK and showcase the unbelievable contribution that diverse talent makes to the industry. The pandemic has shown us the critical role technology can play in tackling global challenges and has highlighted the successes of people from all backgrounds in the UK and around the world in making a palpable difference. From healthtech and Greentech, to AI and social enterprise, I’m proud to represent an organisation that recognises the achievements of so many professionals, in what is a thriving, multi-billion-pound industry.”

Jessica Stack, Co-Founder, Wavelength, said: “Wavelength are absolutely delighted to be sponsoring the Diversity Tech Summit and Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech 2022 list and awards. As an organisation, Wavelength are passionate about driving equality, diversity and inclusion. For over 14 years, we have been showcasing a wide range of hugely admired leaders and global organisations, as part of our responsible leadership programmes. We ensure we represent a diverse range of backgrounds, lived experiences, and businesses striving to change societal norms. We continue to challenge and provoke our clients’ thinking, encouraging them to also step firmly into this arena, and take responsibility for ED&I within their organisation. We strive to be at the forefront of this conversation, pushing the boundaries. Our values are closely aligned to those of Diversity UK, so these awards are the perfect opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to improving equality, diversity and inclusion in business.”

Nasser Ali Khasawneh, Partner and Head of Technology Media and Telecoms (TMT) Sector, Eversheds Sutherland, said: “We are proud to be associated with this great event, especially after such a long absence. As head of the firm’s TMT sector, I am witnessing daily the increasing focus on diversity by our technology clients. Our clients are committed to enhancing the diversity of their teams and equally that of the legal teams they’re instructing. This is a pivotal opportunity and we must all rise to the challenge. The Tech sector has still much to do to improve its inclusiveness across the board. There are some very positive signs, but we are still at the beginning of the journey. We hope this conference will go a long way towards highlighting the focus on greater diversity and inclusion in Tech in the UK. The huge economic success of this sector in the UK must be matched by a culture that nurtures and supports diversity. The UK is already a major hub for technology, but it can do more to solidify its status as one of the digitalization centres of the world. Greater diversity must lie at the heart of this ambition, as numerous studies have shown that more diversity leads to greater innovation.”

Alicia Solanki, MD Client Experience and Chair of Ketchum’s Inclusion Council said: “At Ketchum, DE&I is paramount to our business success, which is why it is hardwired into all parts of our agency – from recruitment to the consultancy we provide our amazing clients. It’s why we’re proud to support Diversity UK with their event, giving us an opportunity to unite two like-minded organisations in their quest to celebrate and acknowledge the contribution diverse talent makes to the thriving tech industry in the UK.

The Diversity Tech Summit takes place on Wednesday 6th July 2022 at Eversheds Sutherland, 1 Wood St, London EC2V 7WS. The reveal of the Top 100 Asians Stars of 2022 will be announced at a special evening event on the same day, at the same venue. It is free to attend but registration is mandatory.

For tickets, the full summit agenda and more information visit:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/diversity-tech-summit-2022-tickets-339881182767

Contacts

Naomi MG Smith MCIPR (For press queries about Diversity in Tech Summit 2022) naomi.smith@ketchum.com

Lopa Patel MBE (For general queries about Diversity UK) info@asiansintech.com

0203 865 4037

About Diversity UK

Diversity UK is an equality and inclusion charity that researches, advocates and promotes ideas for improving diversity in Britain. Diversity UK delivers its charitable objectives by undertaking research, facilitating debates, hosting roundtable meetings, producing white papers and publishing a monthly newsletter focusing on contemporary equality issues. www.diversityuk.org |@diversityuk

* https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-tech-sector-achieves-best-year-ever-as-success-feeds-cities-outside-london