Big Four firms sign up to Tech Talent Charter

Professional services and Big Four firms Deloitte and PwC have joined an initiative that aims to boost the number of women in the technology industry.

The companies join 88 other firms that have signed the Tech Talent Charter, including banks and technology firms such as Lloyds Bank, Nationwide Building Society, Dell, and HP.

Diversity

Both Deloitte and PwC have previously taken action to help improve diversity and inclusion, with Deloitte recently joining the Women in Finance Charter, and PwC launching its Women in Tech initiative back in 2014.

The signing of the charter comes after research from PwC showed the importance of improving inclusion in the technology industry. Only 27 per cent of females say that they would consider a career in technology. The number of males who would consider a career in the industry stood at 62 per cent.

The Tech Talent Charter has received support from the government, with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport becoming a signatory and providing funding.

Earlier this year, research from Big Four firm KPMG found just 12 per cent of young women had considered obtaining a technology degree. While the accounting firm has not signed the Tech Talent Charter, a spokesman stated that the aims of the initiative mirror the company’s business values.

Passion

Commenting on PwC becoming a signatory of the Tech Talent Charter, PwC Technology and Investments Director Sheridan Ash said: “We want to see a world where women play an equal part in creating our future and we believe we can only achieve this if we work together with organisations that share our passion.”