Does tech have a women problem? Jacky Wright has held top jobs in some of the world’s biggest companies, but never forgets that she is an exception in a male-dominated business world.
Meet the UK's most influential Black person
Does tech have a women problem? Jacky Wright has held top jobs in some of the world's biggest companies, but never forgets that she is an exception in a male-dominated business world.
Life was not easy for Jacky Wright's parents. Her Jamaican father settled in Britain after serving in the RAFThe Royal Air Force is the UK's air force. in World War Two; her mother arrived on a ship as part of the WindrushThe ship MV Empire Windrush arrived in Britain in 1948, bringing workers from Caribbean countries to the UK to fill post-war labour shortages. generation. But the racism they experienced as they tried to raise their family in Tottenham convinced them that they would be better off elsewhere. Finally, they decided to move to America.
"My dad and uncles were all from the era of Enoch PowellA British politician who is known for making a racist speech against immigration in 1968. and had a firm belief that change was going to take much longer in the UK than the US, where he thought we had a better opportunity," Wright said in an interview with CNN. "In hindsight I tend to agree."
The interview marked a very special event: Wright had just been put at number one in the Powerlist 2022.1 It names the most powerful people of African, African-Caribbean and African-American heritage in the UK.
"I am proud to be in the company of these great leaders," she said, "but I am reminded that we still have a long way to go... we need to make monumental shifts to create a more equitableFair and equal. society."
At the time she was Microsoft's chief digital officer. She has just moved to become head of technology at McKinsey, one of the world's largest management-consultancy companies.
When she was growing up, her father persuaded her that she could be and do anything. "For a young girl in North London, the chance to be exposed to technology wasn't there. But I was always quite competitive - captain of the netball team, in the track and field team - and that competitiveness played a part in my ambitions."
She originally wanted to be a politician: "I had a burning passion to change the world, as I thought about the injustices that occur in life." But her aptitudeTalent and ability. for maths led her into the tech world - "and then I realised technology can help change things".
After studying computer science and accounting at Baruch College in New York, she went on to work for enormous companies such as General Electric and BP. She then spent 10 years at Microsoft, including a two-year stint in London overseeing the modernisation of Britain's tax system.
This involved a changeover to a digital way of working, and installing 65,000 HMRCHis Majesty's Revenue and Customs is responsible for collecting taxes in the UK. employees in new offices across the country.2 Wright described herself as a combination of team coach, telling everyone what to aim for, and "helicopter mum", coming in to sort out any crisis that arose.
She doubts she would have been so successful if her family had stayed in Britain. In the US she was able to watch inspiring Black businesswomen such as Ursula BurnsAn American businesswoman.. They became her role models.
Many people hope that Wright's success will encourage more women to join the tech industry. At present only around one third of employees are female,3 and only a quarter of those do technical jobs.4
In a BBC interview, Apple's chief executive Tim Cook said there were "no good excuses" for the situation: "I think the essence of technology and its effect on humanity depends upon women being at the table."
<h5 class=" eplus-wrapper" id="question"><strong>Does tech have a women problem?</strong></h5>
Yes: It is appalling that such a small proportion of tech employees are female. Since women are every bit as capable as men, the situation must reflect the prejudices of male executives.
No: Just 35% of those choosing to do STEMScience, technology, engineering and maths. STEM is a term used to group these academic disciplines. subjects at British universities are women. Tech companies can only hire people with the right qualifications - they cannot be blamed for the lack of candidates.
Or... Tech has a much wider problem. It dominates our world, but is only run by mathematicians, engineers and business people. It needs artists, poets, teachers, psychologists and social workers too.
RAF - The Royal Air Force is the UK's air force.
Windrush - The ship MV Empire Windrush arrived in Britain in 1948, bringing workers from Caribbean countries to the UK to fill post-war labour shortages.
Enoch Powell - A British politician who is known for making a racist speech against immigration in 1968.
Equitable - Fair and equal.
Aptitude - Talent and ability.
HMRC - His Majesty's Revenue and Customs is responsible for collecting taxes in the UK.
Ursula Burns - An American businesswoman.
STEM - Science, technology, engineering and maths. STEM is a term used to group these academic disciplines.
Meet the UK’s most influential Black person

Glossary
RAF - The Royal Air Force is the UK's air force.
Windrush - The ship MV Empire Windrush arrived in Britain in 1948, bringing workers from Caribbean countries to the UK to fill post-war labour shortages.
Enoch Powell - A British politician who is known for making a racist speech against immigration in 1968.
Equitable - Fair and equal.
Aptitude - Talent and ability.
HMRC - His Majesty's Revenue and Customs is responsible for collecting taxes in the UK.
Ursula Burns - An American businesswoman.
STEM - Science, technology, engineering and maths. STEM is a term used to group these academic disciplines.