According to a 2022 report from Dealroom, which analysed data on behalf of the UK’s Digital Economy Council, the UK tech industry is now valued at $1tn (£764bn), a milestone that has previously only been reached by the US and China.

It was revealed in 2021 that UK tech companies made up 38% of the combined valuation of European unicorns in 2021 – the highest percentage across the continent, with these figures firmly cementing the UK’s position as one of the world’s leading tech hubs.

Over the years, this technological revolution has changed our daily lives and the world that we live in, making our lives lives easier, faster, better, and more fun.

As the coronavirus took hold of Asia, Europe and then the United States in the latter half of 2020, global conversations regarding racism, trans rights and the inequalities faced by many in our society began to spark - resulting in a number of social and political movements that are challenging the way that we perceive the world around us.

The Black Lives Matter movement has highlighted the challenges faced by black and ethnic minority groups in our communities, the plight of charities and supporting organisations supplying essential items and protective supplies for those most in need has been intensified, and the need for diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace continues to be a prominent conversation in today’s society.

In McKinsey’s Diversity Matters report, they found that companies with high levels of ethnic and cultural diversity were 33 per cent more likely to outperform their competitors. And according to a CIPD report, around 14 percent of the UK working age population come from a black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, and by 2030, it is expected that the proportion will be closer to 20 percent

However, the same report shows that significantly more black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds employees overall (40%) say their career to date has failed to meet their expectations in comparison to those who identify as white British (31%).

Similar research shows that LGBTQ+ employees are struggling with work in this pandemic world, moreso that their straight and cisgender peers. In fact, LGBTQ+ respondents were 1.4 times as likely to cite acute challenges when it comes to workload increases, loss of workplace connectivity and a sense of belonging.

And in the UK specifically, BEIS Analysis shows that if ethnic minority individuals were given full representation within the workforce, the labour market would reap benefits to the tune of £24 billion.

Furthermore, research by Accenture has indicated that 77% of employees and 80% of leaders with disabilities choose not to be transparent about their disability at work.

In 2022, these statistics simply cannot be ignored. 

The only way to pave the way for change when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion in technology is to engage employees at all levels and backgrounds to work together as equals and to collaborate and support each other.