An influential North East organisation supporting women who work in the tech sector has reached a major milestone.

Women in Tech North East is now a Community Interest Company (CIC), a move designed to refocus the organisation and help it engage in more strategic partnerships and projects.

Founded as an informal network and run by volunteers, Women in Tech North East drives forward connections, collaborations, education, skills and career development support for individuals in technology. It is a community which welcomes women, women-identifying individuals, and non-binary and gender non-conforming people.

The transition to a CIC model, under the directorship of Rachel Pattinson, Kathryn Wharton and Jennifer Wood, underscores the organisation's commitment to enhancing diversity, inclusion, and gender equality in the North East's tech landscape.

"Becoming a Community Interest Company formalises our work and future-proofs our ability to drive positive change in the tech industry," said Rachel Pattinson, co-director of Women in Tech North East.

Be the first to know with The Northern Echo and take advantage of our exclusive offer by CLICKING HERE. £5 for 5 months or 40% off your annual cost.

"This not only provides a framework for sustainable growth, but it will also enable us to forge new collaborations and explore opportunities for ambitious funding and impactful projects that benefit the North East community."

Since its inception in 2022, Women in Tech North East has attracted widespread support thanks to organisers like Elena Gorman, Professor Sue Black, Melanie Dunnett, Loujane Alasi, and Ramla Lipstein.

In its inaugural year as a CIC, Women in Tech North East aims to build upon its successful track record of collaboration with leading tech organisations. The organisation now wants potential sponsors to support its diverse range of events and activities designed to empower women in technology.

"We are really grateful for the support of our partners who have been instrumental in our journey so far," added Kathryn Wharton, co-director.

"Together, we have organised seven fully-booked community events across Newcastle, Gateshead, and Durham backed by Newcastle University, Aspire Technology Solutions, Credera UK, Womble Bond Dickinson, Waterstons, Home Group, Gateshead College and Marra.”

Women in Tech North East’s development towards becoming a CIC has been supported by the North East BIC, the North East BIPC and Innovation SuperNetwork. Thanks to START UP at Newcastle University, the organisation has also secured its first funding this Spring to support essential start-up and marketing costs.

With a rapidly growing network of over 1,000 members including women and non-binary people from the private, public and third sector, freelancers, micro-businesses, SMEs and large corporates, Women in Tech North East says: “Our vision is to provide a friendly and welcoming community for people who are studying, working, or interested in digital and tech and to provide digital and physical spaces for women and non-binary people to meet, make connections, build relationships, find support, and be inspired by one another.

“Lack of diversity in the tech sector results in relatively few role models who speak to the diversity of people we so desperately need.”