Women from across the tech sector came together at the NatWest Conference Centre in London on 17 June for the fourth WeAreTech Festival, with attendees joining in person and online for a day of learning, networking and career development.
Long before the first keynote began, conversations were already underway. Attendees arrived ready to connect and share experiences, creating a sense of energy across the venue before the first session even began. By the time the Festival officially opened, the room was already full of conversation.
Bringing together 30 speakers from across the industry, this year’s Festival focused on many of the questions women in technology are asking themselves right now. How do you stay visible? How do you keep learning? How do you build confidence? What does career progression look like in a world increasingly influenced by AI?
The day opened with a welcome from Victoria Cleverley, Chief Operating Officer, NatWest Digital X, followed by an opening keynote from Dr Vanessa Vallely OBE, CEO and Founder of WeAreTechWomen.
Alongside the main stage programme, attendees had access to career coaching, sponsor exhibitions and networking opportunities.
The technology conversation wasn’t really about technology
AI featured heavily throughout the Festival, but many of the conversations centred on people.
Communication, confidence with AI and staying relevant in a changing workplace featured strongly throughout the discussions.
A consistent message emerged. Technology may be changing quickly, but judgement, communication, curiosity, collaboration and the ability to learn from others remain essential. The future of AI still depends on human skills.
Speed wasn’t the only measure of success. Several discussions focused on the importance of questioning information, applying critical thinking and using AI to support better decision-making rather than simply doing more in less time. Governance, responsible use and the growing role of communities, knowledge sharing and AI champions in helping teams learn together also featured prominently.
Stop waiting for permission
One topic seemed to follow attendees from session to session. Confidence.
Attendees were encouraged to recognise the value they bring, speak more openly about their achievements and stop waiting for someone else to validate their contribution. Discussions around sponsorship, visibility and influence prompted reflection about who knows about your work, who advocates for you and how opportunities often emerge through relationships as much as results. There was also encouragement to think beyond job titles and promotions and focus on purpose, impact and the kind of work they want to be known for.
Many left with a simple but powerful suggestion: start a “brag list” to capture achievements, recognise strengths and keep sight of the value they already bring.
Attendees were also encouraged to identify the one conversation that could move a career forward, whether with a mentor, sponsor, colleague or leader. Small actions, speakers suggested, can often have a bigger impact than people realise.
One idea surfaced repeatedly throughout the day. Sometimes a career changes direction through a single conversation, a new connection or a decision to take a chance on yourself.
When careers don’t go to plan
Some of the most honest discussions of the day focused on resilience.
Speakers shared stories of setbacks, unexpected career moves and moments when plans changed direction completely. Rather than presenting success as a straight line, many spoke openly about uncertainty, failure and the lessons that followed.
Discussions encouraged attendees to think about when to push forward, when to pivot and when it might be time to choose a different direction altogether. Reflections included decisions that looked risky at the time but ultimately opened unexpected doors, highlighting that career journeys are rarely straightforward.
The idea of building a personal toolkit for resilience also featured throughout the discussions. Reflection, recovery and learning from difficult experiences were highlighted as valuable tools for navigating uncertainty and moving forward with greater confidence.
The message wasn’t that every setback leads somewhere better. It was that careers are rarely predictable and that growth often comes from experiences that were never part of the original plan.
The conversations between the sessions
Conversations continued throughout the day as attendees reflected on themes raised on stage and shared their own experiences and perspectives.
Speed networking sessions encouraged introductions across the community, while coaching sessions gave attendees dedicated time to discuss their own ambitions, challenges and next steps.
The exhibition area provided opportunities to connect directly with sponsor organisations and learn more about career opportunities. Conversations continued throughout the networking spaces as attendees exchanged ideas and shared experiences.
Community emerged as a recurring theme throughout the Festival. Nobody builds a career alone. The importance of learning from others, sharing knowledge and building networks that continue long after an event has ended was reinforced throughout the day.
The day concluded with a fireside conversation between Dr Vanessa Vallely OBE and Jacky Wright, bringing together many of the themes discussed throughout the Festival, including leadership, adaptability and long-term career success.
Thank you
A huge thank you to our speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, coaches and volunteers whose expertise, energy and commitment helped make WeAreTech Festival 2026 possible.
Special thanks to NatWest, our host venue and sponsor, and to Bank of America, PwC and Morgan Stanley for their support and investment in opportunities for women across the tech sector.
We also want to acknowledge every speaker who shared their expertise, experiences and insights throughout the Festival, including Amanda Newman, Birgit Neu, Bukola Adisa MBE, Claire Roberts, Claudia Harris OBE, Debbie Forster MBE, Gayle Thompson-Igwebike, Hacer Evans, Ijeoma Ogbechie, Jacky Wright, Jennifer Scott, Kara Radcliffe, Kari-Anne Clayton, Lesley Sackey, Madeline Hutchinson, Mairi McHaffie, Mridula Mutharaju, Mukhil Achuthan, Obiageli Okafor, Sandie Small Duberry, Sharon Benning, Sheridan Ash MBE, Susie Ramroop, Suthashini Karthick, Temi Nelson and Victoria Cleverley.
We would also like to thank our career coaches, Faith Ruto, Jessica Chivers and Sarah Bramall, for sharing their expertise and supporting attendees.
Thank you to DigiLearning, our Social Media Partner, for capturing and sharing moments from the Festival.
Thank you also to Tilly Copsey for capturing the day through photography and helping preserve so many of the moments that made the Festival special.
A special thank you to the digital team at Storm, who worked through every challenge behind the scenes to ensure both our in-person and online attendees had a seamless experience.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who attended in person and online. Your questions, insights and enthusiasm helped create another memorable Festival.
While the Festival has come to an end, the conversations are likely to continue long after the event itself. New connections were made, ideas were shared and attendees left with fresh perspectives, renewed confidence and practical actions to take back into their careers.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year.
Coming up
At WeAreTechWomen, we believe the best conversations don’t end when an event finishes. That’s why we’re already looking ahead to the third annual Women in Tech Week, taking place from 12 to 16 October.
Bringing together organisations, networks and professionals from across the industry, the week will feature a wide range of virtual and in-person events designed to spark new conversations and connections. Individuals can take part in events throughout the week, while organisations and communities can get involved by hosting a session, sharing expertise or becoming part of the programme.
Find out more and register your interest here.
