Women in IT Contracting | Building something I wished had existed

The Thread I Couldn't Ignore: Building a Community for Women in Tech Contracting

Thirteen years in permanent IT roles taught me a lot. I moved from IT Service Desk to Service Delivery Manager, eventually heading up departments for brands like Harrods, Selfridges, and VMO2. I learned the technical side of things. I discovered how organisations function, how people interact, and how to lead change in environments that don’t always make it easy.

In 2023, I decided to work for myself. Since then, I’ve collaborated with the likes of John Lewis, BT, and Charlotte Tilbury.

But throughout my journey, across every role and sector, I noticed a recurring thread. Women in tech—especially those contracting or considering it—were navigating a challenging landscape without much guidance. It wasn't due to a lack of capability; that was evident. The real issue was the scarcity of community, confidence, and connections. These elements make the difference between struggling alone and building something sustainable.

I kept waiting for someone to create that supportive space. Then I realised: it was going to be me.

Building from Zero

In January 2026, I launched Women in IT Contracting. I had no audience, no existing community, and no template to follow. What I did have was a clear vision of what it needed to feel like: real, warm, useful, and just the right amount of no-nonsense. That’s the essence of our purpose.

After the strategy planning (which, trust me, I won’t share publicly), I turned to branding. I chose deep forest green and white. The fonts felt considered rather than corporate. Our tagline? "The glass ceiling called. We put it on mute." The language across everything was deliberate. The way you speak to a community shapes how safe people feel within it.

From there, I built the architecture: a LinkedIn group, a WhatsApp group for day-to-day conversations, free monthly roundtables for community connection, a newsletter to keep everyone anchored, paid learning programmes covering personal branding, commercial confidence, and market visibility, and a podcast currently in the works. Every pillar was built around three core elements: confidence, connection, and craft.

Where We Are Now

Six months in, we have over 50 women in the community, starting from ground zero. The newsletter is growing at 20% month on month. Our LinkedIn page gained 70 new followers in just 30 days, marking a 105.9% increase from a page that didn’t exist before January.

But the number I care about most isn’t on any dashboard. It’s the number of women who’ve told me they found us at exactly the right moment. That’s the number worth building for.

The Importance of Community

Creating a supportive community is essential. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about the connections we forge. Each woman who joins brings her unique experiences and insights. Together, we can tackle challenges and celebrate victories.

Imagine a space where you can share your struggles without fear. A place where you can ask questions and receive guidance from those who’ve been there. That’s what we’re building.

The Road Ahead

Looking ahead, I’m excited about the possibilities. We’re planning more events, workshops, and resources to empower our members. The goal is to foster an environment where women can thrive in tech contracting.

We’ll continue to focus on confidence, connection, and craft. These pillars are the foundation of our community. They’re what will help us grow and succeed together.

Join Us

If you’re a woman in tech contracting or considering it, I invite you to join us. Let’s navigate this journey together. You don’t have to do it alone.

Together, we can break down barriers and build a future where women in tech thrive. Let’s make it happen!

In this article, I shared my journey and the importance of community. I hope it inspires you to take action, whether that’s joining our group or starting your own initiative. Remember, we’re stronger together!

And if you’re curious about more resources, check out Women in IT Contracting.

Let’s keep the conversation going!