Women in tech at BAE Systems: Gwyneth’s story of growth and success
In this Q&A, Delivery Manager Gwyneth shares her tech journey, challenges, and efforts to inspire future women in the industry.
18th Feb 2025
Can you share a bit about your journey into tech?
My journey into Tech was quite accidental. I graduated from University with a Business Management degree and decided I was going to be a Consultant. But after working with a boutique consultancy, I realised the best Consultants were project managers who had decided to consult at the end of their very eventful and often inspiring careers (forgive me if anyone is a Consultant reading this).
So I decided I to be a project manager and ended up joining BAE Systems on the graduate delivery manager scheme. After 6 months as a finance manager, my Delivery Lead decided I wasn’t being challenged enough and introduced me to being a Scrum Master. It was a massive learning curve and an intentional decision to use that role to upskill myself in tech and agile speak. And here I am now.
Were there any key role models or mentors who influenced your career path?
Yes, many. The ones that come to mind are, my mother (I know it’s cringe!) and a Senior Finance Manager in the company also of black heritage like myself. She encouraged me to launch the Black Heritage Network and to push past the limitations I set for myself. My mother is an inspiration because she is the strongest person I know. She challenged herself to be there for her kids, working in a language she had to learn with people who looked down on her.What excites you most about working in agile delivery, and why is it a critical part of tech today?
I absolutely love the concept of Agile Delivery. I have a few ‘radical views’ in this space. There is the well-known debate as to whether Agile is a framework or a project management methodology but I really see it as a great delivery tool. In most agile frameworks, you end up having three key roles in a team; the engineers, the ‘client’ or client/end-user representative (to keep you on track with value delivery) and your ‘facilitator- the person that makes sure all events need to happen and is responsible for making sure the organisation or project follows agile principles. The latter role is the role I have been in in many different shapes and I believe it is essentially a delivery manager.
Agile is critical in tech because it was designed for software delivery. It focuses on key principles such as working in iterations, constant feedback and prototyping to facilitate a consistent flow of delivery.How do you find BAE Systems supports women in tech and promotes gender diversity in its workforce?
BAE Systems does a lot in the technology space to support women. From partnering with external organisations such as Women in Tech, or Women in Defence, to outreach and internal support through Employee Resource Groups such as the All in Club, there’s real commitment there to changing things for the better. At the recruitment level, there are also a lot of partnerships to enable us to reach and help women in tech, such as attending and sponsoring Target job’s ‘IT’S not just for boys’ event last year. It is clear that gender diversity is an important goal the company holds. There is always more to do but as long as it stays a priority, we hope to make a difference not just on the insular company level but in the industry as a whole.What role does flexibility and work-life balance play in creating an inclusive environment for women?
The first thing that comes to mind when interacting with this question is children. I don’t want to limit this to an expectation on women, however, good maternity (and paternity) leave structures and working from home arrangements really make a difference. It is something I value in BAE Systems. I feel secure that when I do decide to have children, not only will it not be seen as something holding me back but there will be arrangements in place to help the transition while still supporting my career.How can allies—both male and female—support women in the tech industry?
This is a great question and a big challenge in the DEI space because you find a lot of the same people who are called ‘allies’ already have the ‘right’ mind-set and are actively looking to support.
I’ve got some suggestions and believe that these suggestions below should apply to everyone, allies, members of the marginalised groups and everyone in between who is interested in personal and community growth.
How can we support women?
- Advocate for people: if you are ever in the room where the decisions are happening, speak up and represent the people who may not be there. You can also do this by asking questions, going to events and encouraging uneasy conversations. If you notice something, please try not to ignore it.
- Encourage others: at the very least, do not be the person saying something is impossible. Be the person that encourages them to try and to be the first. You never know the impact your words may have
- Stay: If you are a woman in the tech space, please stay! Keep contributing to the numbers. It may be difficult and you may need to move around to find your space but please keep representing.
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about the experiences of women in tech?
Change is still happening, it is still needed. I think a lot of people are tired of hearing about the ‘DEI’ agenda. A lot of people believe that women no longer have negative experiences in the workplace or there is no glass ceiling. I would say we are not where we used to be, but still not where we need to be. So please, keep advocating, keep questioning your own bias, keep trying to be the difference and the change for the women around you.
What motivates you to keep pushing for progress in DEI within the tech field?
Diversity is not a choice, it is a necessity. It doesn’t just improve innovation, it improves efficiency and profit. Most importantly, the technology we are creating should be built in spaces that are diverse because we are building the future now. I would like to see a future that is more innovative, efficient and rich in value, and we need to push for that representation and progress in the tech field.
What’s your vision for the future of DEI at BAE Systems and within the wider tech industry?
We’re aiming to be an industry leader and deliver that lasting change. Like many organisations we’re on the right track, and I’m proud to be part of teams that are making a difference for women now, and in the future.
You can learn more about building a career at BAE Systems and the opportunities available, by visit their profile and exploring their open roles.