business resources
La Fosse to Launch Female Mentorship Programme to Address Gender Divide in Tech
La Fosse is launching a female mentorship programme under its UNBOUND initiative to tackle tech’s gender divide. The scheme, unveiled on 24 September in Shoreditch, connects leaders with emerging female talent through mentoring and a buddy system. It follows La Fosse’s Women at Work Blueprint, which found 43% of women consider leaving work due to limited progression.
La Fosse, a specialist in technology and transformation talent, is preparing to launch a new mentorship programme designed to support the development of future female leaders in the technology sector.
The initiative forms part of UNBOUND, the company’s wider mission to address the gender imbalance that continues to persist across the industry.
Addressing Tech’s Gender Divide
The programme builds on the momentum of UNBOUND, which La Fosse introduced in July to tackle the persistent gender imbalance within technology. Through this mentorship scheme, the company seeks to directly address the lack of diversity in the industry by pairing experienced leaders with emerging female professionals.
The official launch takes place on Wednesday 24 September at the Loading Bay, Shoreditch, where attendees will be able to learn more about the initiative and register to take part.
Insights from the Women at Work Blueprint
The mentorship programme follows the release of La Fosse’s Women at Work Blueprint report. The research reveals that 43% of women are considering leaving the workplace due to limited opportunities for career progression.
Lucy Kemp, Director of Brand at La Fosse, explains:
“The Women at Work Blueprint is a shocking reminder of the persistent gender imbalance that continues to exist within the tech industry and beyond, and highlights the need for real change.
Our goal with the mentorship programme is simple. We want to connect experienced leaders with rising stars, career changers, and emerging talent, to give women the skills, and support, to progress in their career. UNBOUND is about delivering practical action that addresses the industry’s diversity issue, and mentoring is certainly a step in the right direction to achieving that goal.”
How the Programme Works
Unlike conventional mentorship schemes, La Fosse’s programme incorporates a buddy system, allowing participants to connect with peers who share similar challenges and opportunities. This additional layer of support aims to create a stronger network for women advancing their careers in technology.
The launch event will also feature an intimate evening session focusing on the role of mentorship in shaping tech careers.
Panel Discussion: Exploring Mentorship in Practice
A panel of industry leaders will share their personal experiences with mentorship, including the advice that made the greatest impact and lessons learned from challenging guidance. The panel will cover essential topics such as:
- Confidence building
- Navigating workplace dynamics
- Finding a voice in male-dominated environments
The session will be moderated by Eli Dingwall, Talent Development Lead at La Fosse.
The confirmed panel members include:
- Leah Thomas – La Fosse Academy Associate and Data Analyst at News UK
- Kirstie Smith – Marketing Consultant and Lecturer at Birmingham City University
- Patricia Manley – Head of Project Delivery at Seven.One Entertainment
Lucy Kemp adds:
“A safe space for like-minded tech professionals is essential to having open conversations about career progression. We want to discuss what women really care about and what they struggle with, with topics like imposter syndrome, salary negotiations, and owning their role as a working mother, all high on the agenda.
We’ve already received a lot of interest in the programme and would encourage anyone interested in taking part to come along to the event and find out more.”
Registration and Participation
Those who register to attend the launch event will not only gain early access to the mentorship programme but also receive updates on future UNBOUND events and exclusive research through La Fosse’s mailing list.
About UNBOUND
UNBOUND was launched in July 2025 as a bold initiative to tackle the persistent gender imbalance in the technology sector. The movement aims to support women by creating opportunities for mentorship, honest dialogue, and skill development. This mentorship programme marks its latest milestone, with further initiatives planned to sustain momentum and strengthen female participation across the tech industry.
Those interested in attending the mentorship launch event can register to secure their place. Participants will also gain early access to future UNBOUND events and exclusive research.
About La Fosse
Founded in 2007, La Fosse partners with organisations to build high-performing, agile teams by connecting talent with opportunities from the classroom to the boardroom. The company delivers four specialist services: La Fosse Recruitment, providing talent solutions across all levels from technical experts to senior leaders; La Fosse Executive, offering executive search and interim appointments for technology leadership; La Fosse Academy, training and launching the next generation of diverse tech talent; and Inovus by La Fosse, delivering agile workforce solutions to support scale-ups and transformation projects.
As an employee-owned company, La Fosse has achieved national recognition for its people-first approach, including being ranked 13th Best Large Company to Work For in the UK and 5th Best Recruitment Company to Work For in the UK by Best Companies in 2022, and securing 7th place in the HSBC International Track 200 by the Sunday Times in 2020. Guided by its vision to create a world where businesses and talent grow together, La Fosse continues to invest in initiatives that put people at the heart of transformation.
