Special Interests
Environment: I am passionate about environmental issues, particularly in relation to reducing the IT sector's contribution to the greenhouse effect. I am a member of Intellect UK's directorial leadership group on energy & the environment, and also a committee member of the the (BCS's) Data Centre Specialist Group. I bridge their and Intellect's expertise in the area, and also write and speak on the subject.
Women in IT: Only 16% of tech workers are female, falling from a high of about 21% five years ago. On top of that, at 23% the gender pay gap in the IT sector is much worse the UK's 17% average. I am part of Intellect's women in IT forum management group, and one of their spokeswomen on the topic with a main focus on getting more girls interested in technology. I also hope to act as a role-model to other would-be female IT entrepreneurs.
Driving change for SMEs: I am a very active networker, and thereby am something of an aggregator of opinion. Through my positions as director of the Surrey Chambers of Commerce, committee member of the local Institute of Directors branch's and Intellect UK's main board (the UK's high-tech trade association) , I try to act as a voice for & champion of local and smaller busineses, especially in the IT sector.
Improved care for the transgendered: I am one of the the lucky few transwomen who could afford proper treatment and therefore look normal and am thus able to lead a full life. I recently told my story in the Sunday Times in the hope of challenging preconceptions about the transgendered, and I am working with the charity GIRES to improve medical care for transexual people in the UK, especially children.
