Amplifying new voices – why speaker diversity matters
As we plan our upcoming events and conferences, we’re renewing our commitment to achieving equal representation in our speaker line-ups – but in sectors like telecoms and RF engineering, this remains a real and pressing challenge.
Sector-wide imbalance
Despite global advances in workplace equality and inclusion, the reality is that women, people from ethnic minority backgrounds, and professionals with non-traditional career paths remain underrepresented in technical leadership roles - and by extension, on event panels and conference stages.
In the UK, there are an estimated 1 million women working in STEM, yet they represent just 25% of the overall STEM workforce. Women make up only 15% of the engineering profession and less than 20% of the UK telecoms workforce – significantly lower than the global telecoms average of 37%. Meanwhile, racial and socioeconomic disparities continue to affect who gains access, support, and visibility across these sectors.
These gaps don't just limit representation, they limit perspective. And for an industry built on solving complex, global challenges, that’s a problem.
In 2023, Ofcom and the UK’s biggest telecoms companies came together to sign a new pledge –Women in Tech – committing to help get more women build technology careers across the industry.
The telecoms sector has been historically male-dominated – particularly in more senior technology-based positions. But Ofcom and a number of the leading companies in the sector, including – BT, Cellnex, CityFibre, Colt, Cuckoo, Cornerstone, Ericsson, GCHQ, Hyperoptic, MBNL, NCSC, Ogi, Openreach, Sky, TalkTalk, Three, Virgin Media O2, Vodafone, Vorboss and Zen Internet
are looking to change that and have signed the pledge committing to improve representation for women.
Why diversity on stage matters
Every speaker brings more than their technical credentials to a platform – they bring lived experience, context, and a unique lens on innovation. When a conference stage reflects the full breadth of the sector, the conversation becomes more relevant, engaging, and forward-looking.
Diverse panels challenge groupthink, foster more inclusive solutions, and open the door for the next generation of talent to see themselves in these roles. Quite simply, if we want the future of connectivity to serve everyone, then everyone needs a voice in shaping it.
Taking action at CW
That’s why CW is actively working to ensure greater balance in the speakers and voices we platform. We want to hear from – and champion – people of all genders, backgrounds, and career stages.
We’re not just asking for keynote speakers with decades of experience (though we welcome those too!). We’re also looking for fresh voices:
- Technical experts working at the cutting edge
- Researchers with new perspectives
- Rising stars from underrepresented groups
- Professionals who’ve followed unconventional paths into tech
- Community builders and educators shaping the future of the sector
Help us find the voices we’re missing
If you're reading this and think, “I don’t normally speak at events like this” – you’re exactly who we want to hear from.
If you know someone whose insight deserves a wider audience – nominate them.
If you lead or manage a team – encourage them to step forward and share their expertise.
We will support new speakers with clear briefings, inclusive event environments, and mentorship where needed. Our goal isn’t to meet a quota, it’s to ensure that the people shaping the future of connectivity can be seen and heard.
Join us
CW is currently programming a wide range of events for 2025 and 2026, from Special Interest Group (SIG) sessions to major conferences, like CW TEC. If you or someone you know would like to be considered as a speaker or panel participant, we’d love to hear from you.
Submit your interest or suggest a speaker here: [email protected]
Let’s build a more inclusive future for the tech and telecoms sector, one voice at a time.