Ashleigh Ainsley, co-founder of Colorintech, discusses what steps companies can take to build diverse teams, explains how Big Tech can do better on inclusion, and what he would like to see from the government's digital skills agenda to encourage more people from ethnic minority backgrounds into tech careers.
Colorintech is a non-profit that focuses on increasing access, awareness and opportunities for underrepresented groups in the technology industry. Ainsley grew up in the diverse London borough of Lewisham and went to Oxford University as "the only Black Caribbean boy to go in that year". After securing an internship at Google, he realised that the tech world “felt more like Oxford than Lewisham." In 2016, following roles in the startup and consulting world, Ainsley co-founded Colorintech, which has grown to a community of over 30,000 people. He is also the founder of Black Tech Fest, a three-day event in October showcasing Black culture and innovation.
What is UKTN | The Podcast?
Each week, Jane Wakefield sits down with some of the key movers and shakers from the UK tech ecosystem for the UKTN Podcast. Learn growth strategies from both seasoned and up-and-coming founders, hear market sentiments from investors, and understand the tech policy affecting businesses across the country.
The UKTN Podcast provides insight into the most influential people in the UK’s innovation economy, exploring their personal and professional journeys and hearing their views on the hottest tech topics of the day.