Last month, our employer partner DWP Digital and AWS joined forces with cross-government tech leaders to host an inspiring Women in Cloud event in Manchester, spotlighting women’s roles in cloud technology and their potential to reshape the tech landscape. This event welcomed attendees from across the public sector, aiming to empower women and support their career journeys in tech through shared experiences, insights, and actionable advice.
A Warm Welcome from Helen Wylie
Helen Wylie, CTO of DWP Digital, kicked off the Women in Cloud event with a personal and insightful keynote. Sharing her unique journey from a degree in politics to tech leadership, Helen reminded the audience of the value of diverse backgrounds in tech. Her career has spanned roles from small tech firms to her current position in civil service, where she’s grown as a leader. She urged attendees to “not compare themselves to others,” encouraging a focus on personal happiness and alignment with career goals.
She also highlighted the work of Tech She Can, a charity in the space who are dedicated to sparking early interest in tech among young girls, with initiatives that foster tech curiosity starting as young as five. These slides set an optimistic tone for the day’s discussions on bridging the gender gap in tech.
Fireside Chat with Christine Bellamy: A Three-Act Career
A fireside chat with Christine Bellamy, CEO of GDS, further ignited the room. Christine, with a career journey she describes in “three acts,” recounted her early years in the newspaper industry, her transition into digital spaces with PwC, and her current role in government technology. Through roles that spanned the BBC’s Olympics coverage to new digital services at GOV.UK, Christine’s stories underscored the importance of adaptability, data-driven decisions, and user-centric approaches.
One project she’s particularly passionate about is Project Alph, a forward-thinking initiative aimed at supporting young adults entering adulthood by 2028. Christine’s stories emphasised the importance of agile methods and innovation—developing ideas, testing them with real users, and quickly discarding those that don’t work.
Building Confidence with Anna Tobert
For those looking to boost their public speaking skills, Anna Tobert, AWS’s Public Speaking and Communications Coach, led an interactive session. Known for her energetic and humorous approach, Anna’s workshop encouraged participants to find their authentic voices, embrace humour, and connect confidently with audiences. Her guidance on overcoming nerves and projecting confidence resonated with attendees, providing tools for effective workplace communication.
Hands-On Workshops on Cloud Technologies
The event’s technical breakout sessions gave participants the opportunity to dive into cloud technology through hands-on workshops, facilitated by experts from AWS. Attendees explored Prompt Engineering with Bedrock and Model Selection and learned how to build a serverless translation app using AWS Step Functions. These sessions underscored the potential of cloud technology in driving innovative solutions and opened doors for attendees to gain practical experience in a collaborative setting.
Insights from the Panel Discussion
The event concluded with a thought-provoking panel moderated by AWS, featuring leaders like Sue Griffin, OBE, Head of Practice for Service Management at DWP, Jacqui McGuigan, Lead Application Architect, and Mona Lewis, Deputy Director of Commercials at the Ministry of Justice. Panellists shared career advice, highlighting the value of curiosity, resilience, and “core skills”—an essential suite of skills beyond technical knowledge, which Sue Griffin reframed as fundamental for success.
In response to questions on navigating career paths, panellists encouraged attendees to remain open to new opportunities, avoid overspecialization, and bring their authentic selves to the workplace. The discussion ended on an empowering note: in the ever-evolving world of tech, a positive attitude, willingness to learn, and openness to nonlinear paths can be more valuable than any single technical skill.
Reflections and Closing
The Women in Cloud event fostered a supportive atmosphere where shared stories, actionable insights, and practical workshops inspired women to consider the boundless possibilities within cloud technology. As the event wrapped up with networking at The Anthologist, attendees left with renewed confidence and a toolkit of advice to navigate their paths in tech. DWP Digital and AWS underscored their commitment to inclusivity and the advancement of women in the cloud, sending a powerful message of unity and progress.
Events like these not only highlight the talent and potential within the public sector but also serve as a call to action for broader gender representation in tech—building a future where women in cloud are both celebrated and essential to meaningful growth.
