La Fosse, the tech and transformation talent specialist, has celebrated the successful launch of its brand-new UNBOUND mentorship programme – designed to support women working in tech.
The new initiative aims to tackle the systemic barriers that have long kept women out of leadership roles and has already seen a huge number of mentors and mentees sign up to take part.
The scheme was launched in response to La Fosse’s ‘Women at Work Blueprint’ report, which revealed that women hold just 25% of C-suite positions – a figure that drops significantly for women of colour.
Going beyond conventional mentoring, UNBOUND will create tailored pairings based on each participant’s goals, background, and challenges, and introducing a ‘buddy system’ that connects women with peers facing similar obstacles.
Through one-to-one mentoring over a four-month period, the programme’s structure ensures women receive both senior guidance and peer support in navigating male-dominated environments.
UNBOUND officially launched at a sold-out event in Shoreditch on 24th September, where a panel of female leaders shared their candid reflections on how mentorship has shaped their careers along with challenges they faced along the way.
Leah Thomas, La Fosse Academy Associate and Data Analyst at News UK, spoke at the event about her experience entering the tech industry as a Black woman:
“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.”
The stakes for women in tech
The gender imbalance in UK tech is deeper and more costly than most realise. Women now make up just 29% of the tech workforce and hold only around 20% of senior leadership positions1. Each year, 40,000 – 60,000 women leave tech roles, a talent drain estimated to cost the UK economy £2 – 3.5 billion annually2.
These figures highlight the true reality: the tech sector is losing female talent, not because they lack ambition, but because of systemic barriers such as limited progression, a lack of visible role models, unequal pay, and non-inclusive cultures.
By providing structured mentoring and peer networks, La Fosse is helping to close the gender gap and ensure the next generation of female leaders have the confidence, skills, and sponsorship they need to succeed.
Lucy Kemp, Director of Brand at La Fosse, added:
“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.”
Be part of the change
Applications for UNBOUND mentorship programme are open until Wednesday 5th November 2025. Find out more and register here: https://www.lafosse.com/unbound-mentorship/
