IT Firm 'Gets Ball Rolling' In Attracting More Women to The Sector

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 11 October 2017

UPDATED: 13 October 2017

A company that has doubled in size over the past year has sponsored a Derby County Ladies player as part of a push to attract more women into a career in IT.

Managed service provider Your IT Department based in Eastwood, Nottingham, have sponsored striker Andi Bell, who moved to Derby County from rivals Nottingham Forest Ladies for the 2017/18 FA Women’s Premier League season. The sponsorship will help towards training costs.

 Lee Hewson, 40, managing director of the company, which has grown in size from six to 12 staff over the last year, said: “On the back of the Euros, women’s football has grown in popularity which is one of the reasons we decided to sponsor Andi.

 “IT is traditionally very male dominated, especially on the support side and we struggle to attract female staff. We have an all-male team, and women traditionally have joined us to carry out accounts and admin work- it feels like we are stuck in a time-warp.

 “I’m not sure why women don’t see it as a domain to get into. There are some fantastic opportunities.  Even if an individual doesn’t have strong technical skills we can help, the right personality is the main thing. Nine out of ten issues aren’t that technical, it’s about being able to deal with people panicking when something goes wrong with the computer system.

 “As an industry it is only going to grow, the technology changes but the need to support businesses continues to grow. You can’t run an office without IT equipment.”

 The company has also sponsored Mansfield Town player Alfie Potter and Hinckley Rugby Club.

 Andi Bell, said: “I am delighted to be sponsored by Your IT Company for the 2017/18 season. It is really encouraging when a company gets positively involved in the women's game. When it is a company based in a work environment that, as with football, has been male-dominated, it is doubly valuable.

“For me personally its help is vital and allows me to concentrate solely on playing football. My day employment is in an IT- based role so the partnership couldn't be more suited and I hope the visible support from Your IT Department helps to encourage other females in both football and IT."

 Your IT Department was formed by Directors Lee Hewson and Simon Cox in 2009. It now has more than 100 customers and a turnover of £800,000. At the beginning of 2017 the business purchased its own premises at Unit 8, Farrington Way, Nottingham.  

More information can be found at www.your-itdepartment.co.uk

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