Applications open for National Women in Cyber Leadership Initiative
Applications to the award-winning "Empowering Women to Lead Cyber Security" initiative have launched and will be closing in February for their Spring 2026 season of regional programmes around the UK, and techUK is delighted to again be an official Supporting Organisation.
About the initiative
Organised by the leadership development specialists at Empowering You and backed by CIISec, the Government Security Group in Cabinet Office, the Scottish Government and ScotlandIS, the “Empowering Women to Lead Cyber Security” programmes are a unique, cross-sector initiative, designed to address the challenge of gender diversity in the InfoSec professions and foster the creation of an empowered and empowering network of female cyber security leaders across the UK.
How the programme works
Participation in the programme is free of charge and accessible via an open application process, with the successful candidates being selected by a panel of leading InfoSec professionals from across government and industry. The selected applicants take part in a three-month immersive and intensive leadership development journey, including in-person group workshops, one-to-one coaching with a dedicated coach and "challenge" based group projects, culminating in presenting to an audience of industry and government cyber security leaders.
The initiative is cross-sector, so applicants are welcomed from any sector or size of organisation, whether that be public sector, technology suppliers, financial services, manufacturing, FMCG, aerospace and defence, third sector, education and academia or health. Applicants are also encouraged to apply regardless of digital discipline or career stage and previous cohorts have included participants ranging from entry level Pen Testers and security analysts through to Heads of Information Assurance/Governance and CISOs.
Programme funding and partners
Funding for participants is provided via a unique industry Partnership model, backed by some of the leading employers of cyber security professionals across multiple industry sectors including the likes of Lloyds Banking Group, NCC Group, Quorum Cyber and Sage.
Programme impact and reach
Over the past five years, the “Empowering Women to Lead…” initiative has firmly established itself as a vital opportunity for female InfoSec professionals to develop their leadership capabilities, realise their potential and develop a powerful network of like-minded peers in their local region.
Working with Partners in government and industry, Empowering You now run regional cohorts of the programme across the UK, with their Spring 2026 schedule including regional programmes in London and Southern England, Northern England and Scotland, with further regions to be included in their upcoming Autumn sessions
Their continuing success has resulted in the creation of an alumni network of over 600 female digital professionals across the UK.
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Cyber Resilience Programme activities
techUK brings together key players across the cyber security sector to promote leading-edge UK capabilities, build networks and grow the sector. techUK members have the opportunity to network, share ideas and collaborate, enabling the industry as a whole to address common challenges and opportunities together. Visit the programme page here.
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Meet the team
Jill Broom
Head of Cyber Resilience, techUK
Jill leads the techUK Cyber Resilience programme, having originally joined techUK in October 2020 as a Programme Manager for the Cyber and Central Government programmes. She is responsible for managing techUK's work across the cyber security ecosystem, bringing industry together with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors. Jill also provides the industry secretariat for the Cyber Growth Partnership, the industry and government conduit for supporting the growth of the sector. A key focus of her work is to strengthen the public–private partnership across cyber to support further development of UK cyber security and resilience policy.
Before joining techUK, Jill worked as a Senior Caseworker for an MP, advocating for local communities, businesses and individuals, so she is particularly committed to techUK’s vision of harnessing the power of technology to improve people’s lives. Jill is also an experienced editorial professional and has delivered copyediting and writing services for public-body and SME clients as well as publishers.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- www.techuk.org/
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-broom-19aa824
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Annie Collings
Programme Manager, Cyber Resilience, techUK
Annie is the Programme Manager for Cyber Resilience at techUK. She first joined as the Programme Manager for Cyber Security and Central Government in September 2023.
In her role, Annie supports the Cyber Security SME Forum, engaging regularly with key government and industry stakeholders to advance the growth and development of SMEs in the cyber sector. Annie also coordinates events, engages with policy makers and represents techUK at a number of cyber security events.
Before joining techUK, Annie was an Account Manager at a specialist healthcare agency, where she provided public affairs support to a wide range of medical technology clients. She also gained experience as an intern in both an MP’s constituency office and with the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed. Annie holds a degree in International Relations from Nottingham Trent University.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Twitter:
- anniecollings24
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-collings-270150158/
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Olivia Staples
Junior Programme Manager - Cyber Resilience, techUK
Olivia Staples joined techUK in May 2025 as a Junior Programme Manager in the Cyber Resilience team.
She supports the programs mission to promote cyber resilience by engaging key commercial and government stakeholders to shape the cyber resilience policy towards increased security and industry growth. Olivia assists in member engagement, event facilitation and communications support.
Before joining techUK, Olivia gained experience in research, advocacy, and strategic communications across several international organisations. At the Munich Security Conference, she supported stakeholder engagement and contributed to strategic communications. She also worked closely with local and national government stakeholders in Spain and Italy, where she was involved in policy monitoring and advocacy for both public and private sector clients.
Olivia holds an MSc in Political Science (Comparative Politics and Conflict Studies) from the London School of Economics (LSE) and a BA in Spanish and Latin American Studies from University College London (UCL).
Outside of tech, Olivia enjoys volunteering with local charities and learning Norwegian.
- Email:
- [email protected]
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Fran Richiusa
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- www.techuk.org/
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-richiusa/
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