Three Bristol women announced as finalists in technology awards

The UK tech market has been valued at $1trillion, making it the third most valuable in the world, and is confirmation that growth is not slowing. As an innovative industry, new sectors and specialisms and therefore career opportunities continue to increase, and yet women still only occupy 26% of roles and even fewer at senior levels.

Sponsored by Howden, SSE, Accenture, HSBC, American Express amongst others, the awards have celebrated over 500 role models to inspire and attract women and young girls into STEM careers and close the gender gap within technology. These awards highlight the diverse, fulfilling, and exemplary careers that women can, and are having in technology.

Maxine Benson MBE, co-Founder of everywoman said:

“A study of the everywoman in Tech community, in collaboration with Bupa, found that for 39% of women working in technology, the female role model deficit was a top challenge in achieving their career ambitions. Interestingly, the scarcity of role models is prevalent across the board, with entry-level women recognising this in equal measure to women who have made it to the C-suite.

This has a cascading effect and limits access to mentorship and guidance for aspiring women technologists. Role models serve not just as beacons of achievement, but also as tangible proof that success is attainable, providing the roadmap and the necessary encouragement to navigate a field in which they are underrepresented.

"The breadth and diversity of talent the everywoman awards programme uncovers every year continues to address a vital industry-wide need, we need every one of these impressive finalists to be seen and celebrated if we want to attract more female talent.”

Three Bristol locals were announced on the 2025 Bupa everywoman in Technology Awards finalist list. They are:

• Hannah Feely, Defence Equipment and Support Automation and AI Team Lead at Ministry of Defence, is a finalist in the AI Champion Award category (sponsored by ARM)

With a career rooted in innovation, Hannah Feely has evolved from Scrum Mastery to leading software development and pioneering AI projects within defence. Her work focuses on delivering secure, ethical solutions that enhance productivity and better equip the armed forces. Passionate about fostering diversity, she actively mentors women in technology and champions servant leadership, leading with empathetic strength as a foundation for success. A dedicated learner with a multifaceted skillset, she strives to deliver real-world benefits through collaboration, transparency, and quality.

• Alexia Williams, Lifecycle Engineer at Rolls-Royce Plc, is a finalist in the Apprentice Award category (sponsored by SSE)

Through Life Technical Lead at Rolls-Royce, Alexia started her career as an Aerospace Engineering Degree Apprentice before transitioning onto a Masters Degree Apprenticeship in Through-Life System Sustainment. Her career has spanned across the whole Rolls-Royce Defence Portfolio from leading projects to reduce maintenance, repair, and overhaul turnaround times of large military engines to using data and statistics to improve availability of long-life assets within the Navy. Over the last year Alexia has contributed over 200 hours to promoting careers in STEM.

• Samantha Payne, Chief Marketing Officer at Open Bionics, is a finalist in the Entrepreneur Award category (sponsored by Howden)

The co-founder of Open Bionics, a bionics company developing affordable prosthetics for children, Payne has won a number of international awards for her work. These include the MIT Technology Review 'Innovators under 35' in 2018, James Dyson gong for innovative engineering and Wired Innovation Fellow in 2016.[3] In the Queen's Birthday Honours list 2020, Payne was awarded an MBE, for her work making bionic technology more accessible.

The Bristol-based company has given a man who lost four fingers the ability to hold things again with a new 3D printed device. Open Bionics, which operates from the city centre, said 52-year-old Michael Altheim was the first person in the world to get the device, called the Hero Gauntlet, outside of prototypes. The company's first product was its iconic Hero Arm, which has now shipped more than 450 units shipped. It now has license agreements with Disney, Lucasfilm and Marvel to make Hero Arms in the style of Iron Man.

Zazie Carter, group functions CIO at Bupa, added: “At Bupa, technology powers our ambition to become the world’s most customer-centric healthcare company. We believe that a career in technology is exciting, rewarding, and should be accessible to everyone. This is why we are passionate about supporting the everywoman in Technology Awards. These awards celebrate the achievements of our finalists and inspire others to reach their full potential, challenge boundaries, and receive recognition for their successes. Well done to every applicant and good luck to the finalists!”

The 2025 Bupa everywoman in Technology Awards ceremony and dinner will take place at The Westminster Park Plaza Hotel in London on 13th March 2025, after the annual everywoman in Technology Forum.

To book your place at the awards ceremony and find more information visit www.everywoman.com/techawards