Jessica O'ConnorLa Fosse, the tech and transformation talent specialist, has launched a new mentorship initiative aimed at supporting women in technology and tackling the sector’s persistent gender imbalance.
The UNBOUND programme, which officially kicked off at a sold-out event in Shoreditch on 24th September, is designed to help women overcome systemic barriers to progression in male-dominated tech roles.
The scheme follows La Fosse’s Women at Work Blueprint report, which found that women hold just 25% of C-suite positions – a figure that falls even lower for women of colour.
Unlike traditional mentoring schemes, UNBOUND creates bespoke pairings based on participants’ backgrounds, goals and challenges. The four-month programme combines one-to-one mentoring with a ‘buddy system’, connecting women with peers facing similar obstacles for additional support.
The launch event featured a panel of female leaders who shared personal experiences of career growth and the impact of mentorship. Leah Thomas, La Fosse Academy Associate and Data Analyst at News UK, spoke about her experience entering tech as a Black woman.
“When you don’t see people who look like you, it’s easy to feel out of place. Mentorship gave me the confidence to back myself and the reassurance that my perspective is valuable. That’s why programmes like this matter – they show women they don’t have to navigate the journey alone.”
The need for initiatives like UNBOUND is underscored by stark figures across the industry. Women represent just 29% of the UK tech workforce and hold only around 20% of senior leadership roles. Between 40,000 and 60,000 women leave tech each year, a loss estimated to cost the UK economy £2 to £3.5bn annually.
La Fosse hopes that structured mentoring and peer networks will help stem this attrition and build a more inclusive pipeline of female leaders.
Lucy Kemp, Director of Brand at La Fosse, said: “The response to the programme so far has been incredible, and it’s clear there is huge demand for this kind of support.
“Mentorship is about more than advice – it’s about building confidence, opening doors, and showing women what’s possible. It’s a great start, but we’re calling on more mentors and mentees to sign up and be part of creating meaningful change in the industry.”
