Tech talent specialist, La Fosse, will launch its new UNBOUND mentorship programme at an exclusive event on Wednesday 24th September, designed to address the systemic barriers that have long kept women out of leadership roles in technology.
The launch event will take place at the Loading Bay at Techspace in Shoreditch, and will feature an intimate evening dedicated to exploring the transformative power of mentorship in tech careers, bringing together industry leaders and professionals to discuss the real challenges facing women in the sector.
The UNBOUND Mentorship Programme aims to create meaningful connections across the tech industry through a structured initiative that goes beyond traditional mentor-mentee pairings. The programme will introduce a buddy system that matches participants with peers facing similar challenges and opportunities, whilst also facilitating connections with senior leaders.
Through one-to-one mentoring over a four-month period, the programme’s structure will ensure women receive both senior guidance and peer support in navigating male-dominated environments.
The initiative comes as recent data reveals between 40,000 and 60,000 women are leaving the tech industry each year, costing the UK economy up to £3.5bn annually. Women now make up just 29 per cent of the tech workforce and hold only around 20 per cent of senior leadership positions.
La Fosse’s Women at Work Blueprint report found that women hold just 25 per cent of C-suite positions – a figure that drops significantly for women of colour.
Lucy Kemp, director of brand at La Fosse, said:
“Mentorship is about more than advice – it’s about building confidence, opening doors and showing women what’s possible.”
Kemp added that whilst the initial response has been encouraging, the company is calling on more mentors and mentees to sign up and be part of creating meaningful change in the industry.
The launch event will feature a panel discussion facilitated by Eli Dingwall, exploring how mentorship extends beyond career advice to encompass confidence building, navigating workplace dynamics and finding one’s voice in male-dominated environments.
The panel will include Leah Thomas, La Fosse Academy Associate and Data Analyst at News UK; Kirstie Smith, Marketing Consultant and Lecturer at Birmingham City University; and Patricia Manley, Head of Project Delivery at Seven.One Entertainment.
Panellists will share insights about the mentors who shaped their journeys, pivotal advice that changed their careers, and candid reflections on guidance they wish they had never received.
The event will create a space for discussing topics including imposter syndrome, salary negotiations, work-life integration and leadership challenges. Limited spaces are available to ensure meaningful connection and authentic discussion.
The mentorship initiative forms part of UNBOUND’s broader mission to unleash the full potential of women in technology by addressing mentorship as one of the most critical factors in career progression. The programme aims to remove one of the biggest obstacles to career advancement – the lack of guidance and support that helps navigate the complex world of technology careers.
Whether seeking guidance from senior leaders, looking to mentor emerging talent, or wanting peer support from someone at a similar career stage, the programme is designed to create connections that accelerate progress across all levels of experience.
The initiative is open to women at every stage of their tech journey, from those just starting out to senior leaders looking to give back.
