Role models pictured - Most Influential Women in UK technology 2018

Debbie Forster is CEO of government-backed initiative Tech Talent Charter which aims to boost diversity and address gender imbalance in technology roles. She is also director at consultancy Novel Design, and director for international development at NCSSS.

During her time as co-CEO at Apps for Good, Forster inspired hundreds of students, teachers, industry experts and sponsors to engage with the organisation. As well as scaling at an impressive rate under Forster’s leadership, Apps for Good is working hard to tackle diversity in Stem education. The course has achieved and maintained a gender balance of close to 50/50.

Over 50% of apps which have won at the organisation’s annual awards have been developed by all girl or mixed teams. Forster recently received an MBE for digital innovation, and was named WISE woman of the year in 2016. She has regularly featured in the Most Influential Women in IT list by Computer Weekly.