Women in Tech North East CIC
Fractional Marketing Strategy, Delivery & Speaking
Technology Sector
Start up
April 2022 - present
Strategy development, fundraising, event management, social media management & volunteer management
"I had the pleasure of meeting Kathryn at a Women in Tech North East event, and her ambition and drive left a lasting impression on me. She's a passionate advocate for women in the tech industry. Kathryn's dedication to empowering women in the tech industry is truly inspiring. I've witnessed firsthand how she has worked tirelessly to make every event better than the last. Her leadership and vision have played a pivotal role in the community's expansion"
- Ann-Marie Middleton, Zaltek Digital
Background
Women in Tech North East CIC, co-founded by director Kathryn Wharton, aims to create a supportive community for women in the tech industry. Our goals include raising aspirations, fostering inclusivity, and supporting career transitions within tech.
Addressing gender disparity and inclusivity issues in the tech sector, Women in Tech North East sought to build a community where women could connect, access resources, and advance their careers. The initiative aimed to provide accessible professional development and networking opportunities, particularly for career changers.
What we did
We launched a private LinkedIn group as a central hub for community engagement, allowing members to connect, share knowledge, and seek support. Regular in-person events, hosted in collaboration with organisations like Newcastle University, Womble Bond Dickinson, Waterstons and Aspire Technology Solutions, offered diverse activities from fireside chats to panel discussions, all free of charge.
In 2025, we took a hard look at long-term sustainability. Kathryn led a partnership campaign that autumn to bring on commercial partners for 2026 — a mix of returning faces and new names. Sage came on board as headline partner, alongside four event partners: Gateshead College, Tombola, Accenture and Waterstons. That revenue gave the CIC real autonomy for the first time — stronger governance, a refreshed website, and the ability to pay an administrative assistant, freeing up headspace to focus on strategy rather than admin.
Impact
Women in Tech North East has gained strong traction with over 1,600 members. We're now putting on our 15th event, with more than 1,000 people having attended across the programme.
In June 2026, the board grew from two directors and one non-executive to two directors and three non-executive directors — with Kathryn leading the recruitment and appointment of all three new non-execs. Combined with the new partnership model, this has put the CIC on a much stronger footing for the future.
This initiative continues to thrive, empowering women in tech through community, education, and kindness. We're always on the lookout for new partners and PR opportunities — if that's you, get in touch.