UK Tech 2026: From AI Hype to Operational Reality
19 Mar, 2026
I'm delighted to announce that Matchtech has become an official partner of the Women in Defence Charter, and on a personal level, this is a partnership that means a great deal to me.
Having spent 17 years living and breathing resource and talent in the Defence sector, I've seen gender diversity improve. But the pace of change has been frustratingly slow. That's why I'm committed to doing more, and why I'm also very proud to have been appointed as Deputy Signatory Engagement Lead for the Women in Defence Charter.
The Women in Defence Charter exists for a clear reason: to build a critical mass of women across the sector. The ambition is to reach 30% female representation in Defence by 2030, and the latest WID report makes clear just how much work remains to get there. Signing the Charter means committing to tangible actions - from improving recruitment practices and tracking progress, to creating the cultural conditions that allow women to thrive and build long-term careers in Defence.
This isn't just a numbers exercise. It's about fundamentally changing the way our industry operates.
As a father of two daughters, I want them to grow up in a world where a career in Defence - whether in engineering, technology, operations, or leadership - is something they'd genuinely consider. That means the sector needs to be more visible, more welcoming, and more flexible than it has traditionally been.
One of the most significant, and often underused, levers we have is the expansion of part-time and flexible working, particularly in STEM roles. Greater flexibility isn't just a recruitment tool - it's a retention strategy. Too many talented women leave the sector not because they don't want to be there, but because the environment doesn't accommodate them. That has to change.
Matchtech is uniquely positioned to drive this change. Our networks span the full breadth of the Defence industry, from major prime contractors to innovative start-ups, and that reach gives us real influence over how talent is identified, attracted, and placed across the sector.
We've also made meaningful progress within our own walls. In 2008, gender diversity within our Defence recruitment team stood at just 10%. Today, 62% of that team are women. It's a transformation we're proud of, and proof that with intention and consistency, change is absolutely possible.
Our partnership with Women in Defence and my role as Deputy Signatory Engagement Lead for the Charter marks the beginning of a more structured and committed chapter for Matchtech in this space. We'll be working alongside other Partners and Charter signatories to share best practice, challenge the status quo, and help deliver the kind of systemic change the sector needs.
If you're a Defence organisation looking to strengthen your approach to gender diversity, or a professional looking to understand what opportunities exist for you in the sector, I'd love to connect.
Together, we can build a Defence sector that works for everyone.
