About Us
About Us:
We are a collective of women and allies from various companies across the data centre industry. We have been engaged in discussions about promoting gender diversity in the data centre industry for years and we decided to take action and drive change. We launched FWD as a community and network to provide comfortable space for women in the data centre industry to build connections and cultivate relationships. The community is not tied to specific companies nor driven business interests. Our mission is to build a forum for women at all career stages by providing an environment and events to support, mentor, and encourage to succeed. Our network is initially centred around London, UK, but is open to everyone, and we will hope to expand our reach as we develop.
Our Vision:
A data centre industry characterised by gender parity and equal opportunity for all.
Future:
Looking ahead, FWD has grown well beyond that first conversation and continues to evolve in response to what women in the industry actually need. We’ve hosted informal coffee mornings at conferences, created space through networking events in London, and brought people together around panel discussions that span both technical subjects and women‑specific topics often overlooked in professional settings, including menopause. These events have reinforced the importance of honest dialogue, shared learning and visible role models, while keeping connection at the heart of everything we do.
We’ve also begun to deepen our impact through partnerships and programmes. Working with organisations such as Gen+1, we’ve held events focused on career development and growth skills, helping people think more broadly about progression, confidence and long‑term fulfilment. The launch of the FWD mentoring programme marked another significant step, creating meaningful one‑to‑one relationships that support learning, guidance and mutual encouragement. FWD is ambitious, energised and driven by its community. With growing engagement and an expanding range of initiatives, the future is bright — shaped by collaboration, openness and a shared belief that the industry is stronger when everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
