Diversity benefits firms – CEO

‘We value diversity in our business and our goal with this bursary is to support and encourage women who want to pursue careers in the technology and engineering sectors,’ said Ian Kelly. He also pointed to the work of WISE, a UK organisation that enables people in business, industry and education to increase the participation, contribution and success of women in STEM.

‘WISE has noted the importance of having an increased choice of skilled workers in an industry where there is a skills shortage and that diversity leads to increased innovation and creativity, which is necessary to meet new challenges,’ said Mr Kelly.

‘They’ve found that organisations that lead the way on gender diversity often also lead on performance and even profitability.’

Companies in the top quartile for gender diversity in executive teams are 21% more likely to have financial returns above their industry’s national median than companies in the fourth quartile, according to a 2018 report by management consultants McKinsey & Co.

Mr Kelly added: ‘Diversity also leads to a better customer experience. Fifty percent of all users and purchasers of technology are women – that’s half of our customer base. Having a business that reflects our consumers is so important to understand and cater to all of them.’

The new bursary also complements Sure’s existing Sure Academy scheme, which is a two-year paid employment programme for school and college leavers. It provides the opportunity to gain practical training, an internationally recognised qualification and a high-quality experience that will lead to an exciting and challenging career.

The company also encourages young people to consider working in the sector through work experience programmes and presentations at career fairs and schools.