Women push for faster gender parity in fintech & tech

Senior women in fintech, private equity and cybersecurity are calling for faster progress on gender parity. Marking International Women's Day, they highlighted the importance of sponsorship, confidence and structural change across finance and technology.

Executives from Token.io, Copilot Capital and RAD Security said shifts in industry culture, small-team models and deliberate hiring can improve representation, particularly in senior and investment roles that remain male-dominated.

Data from trade bodies and consultancies shows steady but uneven gains for women in financial services and technology over the past decade, with leadership roles still lagging entry-level representation.

Fintech leadership

Tatiana Okhotina, Chief Financial Officer at open banking payments firm Token.io, said her decade in fintech has brought a noticeable shift in geography and demographics across the sector.

"After more than a decade in fintech, I've seen how much the industry has evolved across the UK, Europe and globally. While the UK remains a major fintech hub, it's encouraging to see new centres emerging and the ecosystem becoming more diverse."

"Increasing female representation at senior and board level is incredibly important to me. Diversity of thought leads to better decisions, stronger businesses and more effective problem-solving. That's why I care deeply about mentoring and supporting women in their careers, both within organisations and across the wider industry. As a qualified coach and mentor, I've actively tried to build this into how I manage my teams."

"International Women's Day has always been personally significant. Growing up in Siberia, it is widely celebrated and deeply embedded in the culture. I was also inspired by my mother, who had a strong and fulfilling career and showed me early on how important it is to enjoy what you do and contribute meaningfully. That example shaped my expectations and my belief that equality should simply be the norm."

"My career has been shaped by supportive leaders who encouraged me to step forward and claim a seat at the table. Real progress will come when both male and female leaders actively champion talented women and create opportunities for the next generation."

"International Women's Day is a reminder that while change takes time, we all have a role to play-by mentoring, speaking openly about career ambitions and giving others the confidence to take the next step."

Token.io provides account-to-account payment infrastructure using open banking interfaces across 22 European markets. Its network links more than 2,000 banks and hundreds of millions of consumer and business accounts.

Private equity culture

Private equity firms have faced scrutiny over gender balance in investment teams, particularly at the partner and managing director levels. New entrants are experimenting with different organisational structures and cultural models.

Copilot Capital, a software-focused private equity investor launched in 2024 with a USD $200 million fund, uses a small-team model that executives say gives junior staff faster exposure to deals and decision-making. Its portfolio includes European software businesses such as Relesys, Priceshape, Zendr and SecureFlag.

Software Growth Investor Rebecca Visciola said women are interested in investment careers but need stronger peer and mentor networks.

"We want to break the myth that women are somehow unsuited to private equity. Together with Farhana and Alba, I'm building a community of women investors and advisors in software. We've organised multiple events, and every time the community grows. There's a real appetite among ambitious women who want to pursue the same career path and support one another."

"By building this community, we're also trying to break taboos around women's health, well-being, and what it means to look after your body while working in a demanding role. Our last event was a masterclass on nutrition, training and mobility-things that support performance as well as long-term health."

"For us it's about balance: balance in gender representation, and balance in how people take care of themselves. My advice to women starting out is to back your ambition, seek out environments that genuinely invest in you, and don't be afraid to ask for the support you need."

Visciola also said smaller-firm norms can flatten hierarchies in investment discussions.

"I was told it in a very specific way: you're not an associate when we're in the room together. All thoughts, ideas and judgments carry the same weight, regardless of title-and you're expected to use your voice."

Breaking the ceiling

Farhana Atteib, also a Software Growth Investor at Copilot Capital, said gains in representation depend on both personal confidence and structural commitments from firms.

"If you're representing any sort of minority, the most important thing is to be proud of yourself and carry yourself with confidence. It's true there still aren't many women in PE, but the industry is moving. Even in larger institutions, there's a real effort to bring in more women."

"It can be overwhelming to work in a high-performing, male-dominated environment, but it's up to us to break the glass ceiling and create more representation for the next generation. If we hesitate now, it will never move. I'm genuinely grateful for the senior women who made it in this industry and focus on supporting others. At Copilot, we have a good balance within our existing team, but it will always be an important topic. Every fund should be pushing for parity."

Atteib said direct encouragement to speak up on deals and investment theses has shaped her approach.

"One of the best pieces of advice I've received is not to be afraid to stand up for my point of view and my ideas-what I think about an opportunity. Just because the person in front of me has ten or fifteen years of experience, my point of view isn't less relevant. If you work with confidence, you're more likely to deliver good work. Sometimes we sabotage ourselves when we lack confidence. Being given the license and opportunity to share our views really helps."

Cybersecurity focus

In cybersecurity, where technical and leadership roles also skew male, industry leaders are linking diversity directly to performance and risk management.

Brooke Motta, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of RAD Security, said the pace of technological change has not yet translated into equivalent progress in inclusion.

"I'm reminded daily that progress in cybersecurity is inseparable from progress in representation and equity. On International Women's Day, I'm especially proud of the women across our industry who are redefining what leadership, technical excellence and resilience look like.

"Cybersecurity and AI move fast, but the barriers women face-whether in boardrooms, sales organisations, or security operations centres-have been stubbornly slow to change. The women building, selling, deploying and defending technology today are not exceptions; they are the future of this industry. They deserve not just a seat at the table, but a meaningful opportunity, a budget and trust."

"At RAD Security, we're intentional about creating an environment where women can lead, experiment and be heard. On International Women's Day, my ask is simple: don't just celebrate women-sponsor them, hire them into core technical and revenue roles, and measure your progress. When women thrive, our companies, our customers and our entire security ecosystem are safer and stronger."