We SMASHED IT!

The team at mediaTechWomen is excited to shout about the success of the second ever event that took place on March 7th, 2024.

Our team's collaborative effort and innovative ideas have led to this remarkable accomplishment. We are proud of what we have achieved together and look forward to continuing this momentum in the future.

Stay tuned for more updates and inspiring stories from mediaTechWomen as we strive to break barriers and make a positive impact in the tech and media industry. Together, we will continue to SMASH IT!

#inclusion was ordered and #inclusion was delivered. MediaTechWomen provided the perfect platform for our most talented women in tech and media to interact and celebrate each other.

About us:

We are MediaTechWomen: a growing movement of women and allies who work in the interesting intersection of where media meets technology. 

MediaTechWomen is a collaboration between the women in technology staff networks at News UK, BBC and Sky to celebrate women working in tech at these three major media powerhouses. Launched on International Women’s Day in March 2023, MediaTechWomen returns with another event in 2024 with a brilliant line-up of industry speakers.   

MediaTechWomen draws on the power of networking, learning and career development as a crucial means of empowering their community of women and supporting them on their career journey.

MediaTechWomen recognises and rewards excellence in our women who work in technology. We are in the process of launching an awards programme to celebrate their great work (watch this space). 

agenda - March 2024 event

1:30pm - 2:15pm: Registration/Pre-networking (with refreshments)

2:15pm - 2:25pm: Opening Remarks: Hannah Prevett, Deputy Editor, The Times Enterprise Network

2:25pm - 2:55pm: How Inclusion Leads to Greater Innovation Moderated by Hannah Prevett. Panellists: Storm Fagan, Chief Product Officer at BBC, Alix Pryde, Director of Central Services, Global Streaming at Sky, Claire Dracott, Director of Tech Innovation at News UK

3:00pm - 3:25pm: Keynote by Suki Fuller - Exclusively Inclusive:; How to turn your SUKINESS into inclusion and create wins’
(2023 Computer Weekly’s ‘Most Influential Women in Technology’ award winner)

3:25pm - 3:45pm: Break

3:50pm - 4:05pm: Sky Panel

4:05pm - 4:20pm: BBC Panel

4:20pm - 4:35pm: News UK Panel

4:40pm - 5:00pm: “What’s Inclusion Got To Do With Me?”  Moderated by Suki Fuller. Panellists: Shelley Bishton, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at News UK, Sharon Wallace, Head of Tech D&I, Partnerships & People Change at Sky and Jessica Schibli, Head of Creative Diversity at BBC.

5:20pm - 5:30pm: Closing Remarks: Hannah Prevett

5:30pm - 7pm: Networking, Drinks and Refreshments

panels

Panel One: How Inclusion Leads to Greater Innovation

Three prominent and accomplished senior leaders at Sky, News UK & the BBC share their perspectives on the vital role diversity and inclusion plays in technical innovation. 

These incredible women are not only pivotal to shaping the tech innovation strategies at their respective organisations, but they are also passionate advocates for  female voices and how they should be heard, respected and valued at the senior table. 

  • Alix Pryde - Director of Central Services, Global Streaming at Sky/NBCUniversal and Non-Executive Director

  • Claire Dracott - Director of Tech Innovation at News UK

  • Storm Fagan - Chief Product Officer, BBC


Panel Two: “What’s Inclusion Got To Do With Me?” 

Senior DEI representatives for Sky, BBC and News UK will answer some hard-hitting questions around the definition of inclusion, what it means in practice, and how true inclusion can be modelled and practised.

  • Shelley Bishton News UK Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | EMpower Future Leader Role Model Winner 2022 | Media Representation Campaigner | Cultural Change Maker | Speaker

  • Sharon Wallace Sky Head of Tech D&I, Partnerships & People Change  | LIFT as we Climb Chief Strategist | Up-levelling people experiences through growth and inclusion | UK Delegate UN Commission on Status of Women | TEDx speaker

  • Jessica Schibli, BBC Head of Creative Diversity