How Katy is blazing a trail for women in the IT sector

In the latest edition of Marketing Derby’s Innovate Magazine, we meet Katy Upton, boss of Fortitude Nicsa Global, who is blazing for women in the IT sector.

Katy, who is chief executive of FNG, was last year named by private equity giant LDC and The Times as one to watch.

In nine years, she has taken the firm from start-up to global IT partner, providing services to clients across 160 countries.

Its 40 staff, based at Pride Park, Derby, and in India, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, China, Peru, Hong Kong and Malaysia, together with a trusted network of more than 6,000 engineers, offer hardware and systems support, professional resourcing, fibre cabling and wireless and cellular surveys.

Katy speaks to Innovate about being a successful female leader in what is traditionally male-dominated industry, while also being a single parent to four children.

“I’m a single parent and it’s not always easy to balance work and family life,” Katy tells Innovate.

“Having a workplace that’s supportive is vital. Personally, this business has been there for me, so to be able to offer that for others is really important.

“I’ve been fortunate to have people who have believed in me and given me their support. Everything we achieve is down to the talent and effort of the wider team.”

As a CEO, Katy explains to Innovate how she favours a leadership philosophy centred on empowerment and collaboration.

She said: “Leadership is about enabling others to succeed and I’m proud of the incredible work our team achieves together.

“Our culture values diversity, creativity and excellence and we try to ensure that every team member feels supported and motivated to be able to contribute their best.”

FNG’s achievements and ambition under Katy’s leadership are impressive and yet she is one of very few women – only five per cent according to a study by PWC – occupying senior positions within the tech sector.

She tells Innovate: “Perceptions are changing, and the industry is really making an effort to let women know about the opportunities which exist – not just within technical roles.

“You can work in IT and do other things, such as marketing, finance and HR, and you can still progress to leadership roles within the sector through those routes.”

To read the feature in full, visit https://heyzine.com/flip-book/4f1b03a082.html#page/54.