DEI non-profit Tech Talent Charter to close
After a decade of driving diversity and inclusion across the tech sector
The Tech Talent Charter (TTC) today announced it is closing, with its board of directors voting to dissolve the organisation.
TC is a government-supported, industry-led membership group that helps more than 700 signatory organisations with networks and resources to drive their diversity and inclusion (D&I) efforts.
Since it launched in 2015, TTC has built a community of thousands of D&I professionals and more than 800 tech employers, representing almost a quarter of a million tech workers.
Its annual Diversity in Tech reports have collated and curated thousands of insights and data points showing the true state of diversity in the UK's tech sector and equipping organisations to change and evolve their approach.
Businesses ‘quiet-quitting' D&I strategies
However, after nine years, the organisation has made the "difficult decision" to close against a backdrop of businesses D&I strategies becoming "increasingly insular."
"The environment that we now face and the priorities of the industry have evolved beyond measure," TTC said in a statement.
"In September 2023, the World Economic Forum reported that the future of D&I initiatives in the US is under threat.
"And in February this year the Tech Talent Charter's annual Diversity in Tech report, based on D&I data from more than 700 UK tech employers, reported a similar turn of the tide."
TTC observed that while just three years ago, companies were vocally committing to improving equality and investing in their action plans for improving D&I, today, the direction of travel has shifted.
The issue remains extremely prevalent, but, fuelled by economic, political and social pressures, too many organisations are "quiet-quitting" their D&I strategies, putting all that has been achieved at risk.
"Many in our networks are reporting that their organisation's D&I strategies are becoming increasingly insular and initiatives are being shelved to prioritise other business goals," TTC said.
"We are hearing more and more stories from D&I specialists and advocates battling for support as their teams are dismantled, their processes eliminated or absorbed or who are being forced to step back from voluntary efforts due to changing business attitudes and overburdened desks. It is clear that something needs to change.
"Against this backdrop, the Tech Talent Charter has made the incredibly difficult decision to close, and our board of directors has now voted to dissolve the organisation."
2023 marked a particularly low point for representation, as the tech sector saw an exodus of women.
Several pieces of research found that less of 3% than VC funding for AI ventures and less than 2% overall, go to female-founded businesses.
Also in 2023, figures from the ONS put into sharp focus the exodus of women from tech, as the agency said that over 3,000 women had left the sector during the first half, even as the tech workforce grew overall.
Tech sector needs a major reset
However, the organisation is not giving up. Instead, it hopes its decision to close will amplify the need for renewed focus.
"The TTC is closing because we believe the tech sector needs a major reset in its approach to DEI to stop years of progress from being reversed.
"We believe this inflection point is essential to refocusing efforts, refining methods, and driving greater commitment and investment at a systemic, industry, and regional level."
Long-time collaborators, techUK, will continue to make TTC research and resources freely available.
"What TTC has achieved over the past decade has been extraordinary," said TTC founding member Amali De Alwis.
"Its groundbreaking work helped transform the UK industry to be a more equitable and successful one. And whilst it may not be continuing in the same guise, its legacy will be long felt."
As diversity and representation in tech comes into question, it's more important than ever to make your voice heard.
If you're passionate about the topic of diversity, inclusion and advancing the cause in the channel, consider attending the Women and Diversity in Tech and Channel Festival 2024, hosted by CRN and Computing. Click here for the full details and early agenda.
This article first appeared on CRN UK.