How Accenture is Advocating for Diversity in the Tech Sector
Professional services company Accenture has a strong approach to diversity and inclusion, which is reflected in its commitment to several initiatives and research.
These initiatives extend across gender equality, racial equality and inclusionary support for the LGBTQ+ community. Ultimately, it is eager to create a more inclusive and representative workforce within the growing technology sector.
For instance, recent research from the company has found that women business leaders have double the technology experience of men. The company found that 30% of women CEOs and business leaders have technology expertise, in comparison to 18% of their male counterparts.
“It’s hugely encouraging to see the experience women in technology are bringing to leadership teams today,” Emma Kendrew, Accenture’s technology lead in the UK, shares (as reported by Verdict).
The research reveals that one in four Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index (FTSE) board level executives are now proficient in technology, which is an increase of 12% over the last three years.
Making the ‘tech boom’ more diverse
This news comes in the midst of technology skills becoming more in demand as a result of the continuing AI boom. To approach this, Accenture is championing a diverse and inclusive workplace, as it believes that this is the key to more successful innovation.
“With organisations completely focused on long-term growth, diverse teams bring in a range of experiences that drive innovation,” Emma says. “Emerging technology, like AI, can benefit all sectors and regions in the UK.”
Whilst technology is rapidly advancing the global business landscape, diversity is retreating. Accenture highlights that the proportion of women working across the technology sector is currently around 32%, which is less than it was in 1984. Today, women hold just 16% of engineering roles and 27% of computing roles in companies in the United States alone.
According to the company’s research, women represent only 18% of CIO/CTOs.
- 50% of women in tech roles leave them by the age of 35
- Women are 2.5x more likely to drop tech roles than other roles before 30
- 45% Senior HR leaders are (at 45%) twice as likely as women (at 21%) themselves to say it's “easy for women to thrive in tech”
- Only 25% of tech graduates are women
- With more inclusive cultures, there could be almost 3 million young women working in tech in 2030
Accenture also finds that an inclusive culture is crucial, particularly when it comes to keeping women in technology-based roles. However, the company is finding that many companies do not currently recognise the importance of keeping women in the workplace.
How does Accenture support a positive tech culture?
Overall, Accenture’s approach to diversity and inclusion is comprehensive. This is reflected in its aim to create a more inclusive and representative technology sector.
A more inclusive industry is a more innovative one.
For instance, the company has made significant strides in promoting gender equality. The company currently boasts more than 300,000 women employees around the world, which consists of roughly 47% of its workforce. The company is eager to bridge the 3% gap by 2025, as part of its ‘50 by 25’ strategy.
When the company conducted a global annual pay equity review in December 2023, it found 100% pay equity for women compared to men across all countries it operates.
“I am proud to lead one of the most inclusive and diverse companies in the world,” says Accenture CEO Julie Sweet. “You can only have a culture of equality if you start with the belief that diversity matters.”
"One of our leadership essentials for all of our leaders is to lead with excellence, confidence, and humility. And the humility we find as a leadership quality is what allows people to be natural learners and to build great team."
However, Accenture acknowledges more work needs to be done, as it continues to emphasise digital inclusion for women and girls around the world, in addition to its diversity-focused hiring in locations such as South Africa, the UK and the US.
The company has also partnered with organisations like Snowflake on their Women in Data initiative that seeks to empower and elevate women in the fast-paced landscape of data-driven innovation. This is also designed to address the persistent gender gap within the data industry.
******
Make sure you check out the latest edition of Technology Magazine and also sign up to our global conference series - Tech & AI LIVE 2024
******
Technology Magazine is a BizClik brand