La Fosse launches UNBOUND to boost women’s tech progression
La Fosse has launched a structured mentorship programme to address barriers to progression and retention for women working in technology roles in the United Kingdom.
The new initiative, named UNBOUND, was developed in response to data showing that women remain underrepresented in senior technology positions, and that career progression often stalls for women once they are in the sector.
Retention and progression
UNBOUND aims to support women already established in technology careers, focusing on retention and advancement rather than recruitment. The programme introduces two key forms of support: senior sponsorship and guidance through tailored mentor pairings, and a peer "buddy" network connecting women who face similar challenges in male-dominated roles.
The approach comes after La Fosse's 'Women at Work Blueprint' report revealed that only 25% of C-suite positions in UK technology firms are held by women, with an even smaller percentage for women of colour. The programme is structured to create bespoke mentoring relationships, matching participants with leaders who can help them navigate progression obstacles while also embedding peer-to-peer networks for collaborative support.
Programmeme launch and structure
The first cohort of the programme launched with substantial uptake from mentors and mentees across areas such as engineering, product, data, and digital transformation. Over a set four-month period, participants will engage in one-to-one mentoring, designed to help them navigate workplace dynamics, access guidance from senior figures, and benefit from shared experiences with peers at similar career stages.
At the launch event, several female leaders discussed the impact of mentorship on their careers and the ongoing challenges facing women in technology. One of the speakers, Leah Thomas, La Fosse Academy Associate and Data Analyst at News UK, spoke candidly about her own journey. She stated:
"When you don't see people who look like you, it's easy to feel out of place. Mentorship gave me the confidence to back myself and the reassurance that my perspective is valuable. That's why programmes like this matter - they show women they don't have to navigate the journey alone."
Systemic barriers identified
Statistics from the technology sector indicate a persistent gender gap. Women comprise 29% of the UK tech workforce, but only around 20% hold senior leadership positions. Between 40,000 and 60,000 women leave technology roles in the UK annually, representing a talent drain with an estimated cost to the UK economy of GBP £2 billion to GBP £3.5 billion each year. The figures highlight that the tech industry is losing female talent not due to a lack of ambition or skill, but because of obstacles such as restricted progression pathways, limited role models, inequalities in pay, and workplace cultures that are not fully inclusive.
La Fosse developed UNBOUND to address these issues directly, hoping to reverse attrition rates and enable more women to move into visible leadership positions by fostering both confidence and networks.
Industry response
Lucy Kemp, Director of Brand at La Fosse, commented on the early response to the programme:
"The response to the programme so far has been incredible, and it's clear there is huge demand for this kind of support. Mentorship is about more than advice - it's about building confidence, opening doors, and showing women what's possible. It's a great start, but we're calling on more mentors and mentees to sign up and be part of creating meaningful change in the industry."
The UNBOUND mentorship programme is now open for applications for its next cohort, continuing its work to build a more balanced and supportive environment for women already in the technology sector.
