RS Components (RS) has sponsored the ‘Tech for Good’ category at the FDM everywoman in Technology Awards 2022, which celebrate the achievements of women in technology. This sponsorship showcases the company’s commitment to developing a sustainable and inclusive future through people and innovation.
The annual RS ‘Tech for Good’ award is presented to a woman who is driving forward an initiative that uses technology to make a positive difference, whether as part of a social enterprise, diversity and inclusion, a focus on sustainability, or any other area of impact.
This year, ‘Tech for Good’ category finalists showed a clear focus on developing applied, innovative, technology–led solutions to real world problems, using technology for good in the world.
The everywoman in Technology Awards 2022 were held in London this week. The ‘Tech for Good’ category winner 2022 was Kavitha Krishnamurthy who, working together with her team, took a new look at the problem of colour-blindness testing in rural India and delivered an impactful, digital solution with a real ‘design spark’! The ‘Tech for Good’ category judges were Claire Rose, Director of New Venture Development at RS and Ed Alford, Chief Technology Officer, New Look Retailers Ltd.
Claire Rose, Director of New Venture Development at RS, commented: “The strength of applications in the ‘Tech for Good’ category this year was remarkable. It was great to see ambitious game-changing technologies being developed, delivered, and advocated with passion, intellect, compassion, and intelligence; aiming to deliver technology for good on a global scale and with impact. Well done to all the applicants.
“RS is a strong advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion. As a global engineering and technology-led business, we are proud to support everywoman and applaud their movement for gender parity in the workplace.”
Maxine Benson MBE, Co-Founder of everywoman, commented: “We are thrilled to be celebrating the achievements of all our finalists, each one is a role model whose accomplishments we know will inspire future generations to pursue a career in tech. Their stories showcase the vital advancements technology is making towards saving, transforming, and improving lives while also positively impacting on the planet and ensuring the future of tech grows ever more diverse and inclusive.”
As part of the wider Electrocomponents Group, RS has a major commitment to sustainable and innovationled growth. ‘For a better world’ the Group’s 2030 ESG action plan sets clear goals for responsible, sustainable, and inclusive business. These are: advancing sustainability, championing education and innovation, empowering people, and doing business responsibly; and are at the heart of the company’s work with everywoman. Moreover, RS’ DesignSpark and Grass Roots engineering impact and education initiatives are dedicated to growing engineering and technology skills and connected capability.
About the FDM everywoman in Technology Awards
Now in its 12th year, the awards celebrate and showcase the tech industry’s most exceptional talent, from the UK and beyond, creating role models to inspire the next generation of tech stars and address the recruitment crisis and need for diversity to drive future growth within the technology industry. Currently only 24% of people working in STEM in the UK are women and this is only expected to increase to 29% by 2030. Although their numbers are on the rise, women still only account for 10% of leadership roles in the industry. It’s estimated that to achieve gender parity in the technology sector in the UK, one million women need to be hired and that this shift would benefit the economy by £2.6bn. Research has also shown that gender balanced boards lead to better decision-making, curb excessive risk taking and ultimately bolster a company’s bottom line.
