Three in five tech businesses in the UK believe there is still a long way to go to improve diversity, equality, and inclusion in their sector according to research by Thoughtworks.

The research found that 33 per cent of those in the tech sector said their organisation either had no plans to address career development issues for minority groups or did not know where to start.

Similarly, 22 per cent of respondents felt the same for representation and 24 per cent felt the same for allyship and understanding.

Under half of tech companies - 41 per cent - had plans in place to tackle issues around gender equality according to the research, while 34 per cent had plans to limit age discrimination and 29 per cent had plans to address race and ethnicity.

The research found just 27 per cent of tech organisations have invested in diversity and inclusion training, while 25 per cent offered mentoring to members of minority groups, one in five offered education team days, while one in six - 16 per cent - had a DEI Council within their business.

Similarly, the tech sector was less likely than the average among businesses in the UK to have plans in place to address problems around certain issues.

Just over a fifth of tech businesses - 23 per cent - had plans to tackle issues surrounding disability versus a cross industry average of 25 per cent, while 16 per cent had plans to tackle issues around religion versus the cross-industry average of 18 per cent.

Only 15 per cent of tech business had plans to address issues relating to neurodiversity as compared to a cross-industry average of 18 per cent.

In addition, fewer tech businesses had plans to address social mobility issues than the cross-industry average, 19 per cent versus 21 per cent.

The research also found that most businesses in the IT sector - 87 per cent agreed there were business benefits from championing DEI issues. Two in five could see that it would foster better employee relationships, with the same proportion believing it would increase staff retention.

“Whether it is age, gender, or ethnic diversity, we have to be honest that the tech sector is out of balance,” said Amy Lynch, head of diversity, equity and inclusion at Thoughtworks UK. “But we can change this.”

“Change happens with positive action, effective policies, and hard work. There is a wealth of talent out there that does not fit a preconceived “mold” and importantly could offer a sector, which relies on innovation and different ways of thinking, a fresh perspective. A strong DEI culture will be an important differentiator in the quest to attract and retain the best talent too.”

She added: “It is the responsibility of leaders within the sector to create paths to give groups that feel technology is not for them the confidence to apply for jobs.”

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