Why we need diversity and women in leadership, Anna Brailsford, Code First Girls

Melanie Boylan interviews Anna Brailsford, CEO of Code First Girls and Board Member for the Institute of Coding, about diversity and women in leadership. Anna Brailsford is the CEO of Code First Girls, a social enterprise that is increasing the number of women in tech by training women in coding skills and helping companies to develop more inclusive recruitment policies. Code First Girls has provided free coding education to over 20,000 women and each year they teach more women to code than the entire UK university sector. Anna is also a Board Member for the Institute of Coding. Before joining CF:G Anna was the CEO and co-founder of Founders Factory incubated EdTech startup Frisbee. Prior to that, Anna was the Commercial Director of Lynda.com and LinkedIn. Code First Girls is an award-winning social enterprise on a mission to provide the skills, space and inspiration for women to become developers and future leaders in the tech space. Code First Girls achieves this by working with companies and women to effect change. Made up of 20,000+ women in its community, with over 50% from BAME backgrounds, 58+ nationalities represented, Code First Girls is a community led organisation that provides courses dedicated to developing the next generation of tech leaders, through immersive teaching and coaching opportunities. More about Melanie twitter.com/STOMPSMTraining Over the years I have worked with SME, FMCG and State Bodies I'm delighted to say I now support and train all sizes of business and my business has grown with my clients. I provide Adult Education and support for people in Business. With my many years of experience in promoting services and charities in Ireland and the UK; I have been very fortunate to establish a strong network of contacts and over the years have learnt how best to promote a business online and improve their social media scoring. Creating a professional image and maintaining it is the crux of a great marketing plan and is instrumental in today’s climate in making your business stand out, I can tailor my services to your requirements. Over the last few years I have started working in other areas I have a genuine passion in. I have been avid writer for a number years and started working as a Freelance Writer with Irish Tech News since 2016 and StartUp Mindset since October 2019.