BT Group CEO Allison Kirkby (pictured) and 14 other prominent women in the UK founded a taskforce to address gender disparities in the nation’s tech sector, gaps the government stated cost the economy between £2 billion and £3.5 billion each year.

The government-led Women in Tech Taskforce was established to develop ways to encourage women into the sector, but also to stay once there.

Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, said the group was established to “break down the barriers that still hold too many people back”.

She said the taskforce would work with industry to conceive “practical solutions”.

“When women are inspired to take on a role in tech and have a seat at the table, the sector can make more representative decisions”.

The government stated the taskforce is targeting an imbalance which sees men outnumber women by four-to-one in terms of having computer science degrees.

It stated “systemic barriers” restrict women and it would take 283 years to achieve equality without action.

The taskforce is to have the government’s ear regarding methods to boost diversity in the tech industry by removing barriers to education, training and career progression. The work is expected to complement an AI and digital skills curriculum the country is deploying in schools.

Kendall said promoting women in the tech sector can “unlock the innovation and growth our economy needs”.

The government highlighted recruitment company Ivee, Starling Bank, and childcare service Koru Kids as examples of successful businesses run by women.