Scotland Women in Technology (SWiT), today (14 April) launches a new pilot programme which will see it partner with Third Sector Lab to boost the presence of women in its latest Digital Trustee cohort.
Launched in 2018 by Third Sector Lab, Digital Trustees upskills and matches volunteers with experience in digital, data or design to sit on the board of a third sector organisation.
The pilot will see up to 30 women from the Scottish tech sector transition from executing digital tasks to governing digital strategy, data ethics, and AI adoption. Those who apply for the programme through SWiT will be supported as they start their Board journey across three stages:
- Stage 1: Strategic readiness – Successful applicants will be trained in legal governance and how to vet charity boards to ensure they are prepared to move beyond providing tactical IT support to high-level digital strategy.
- Stage 2: Values-led matchmaking – The Third Sector Lab will then curate a matchmaking process that sees the applicant’s technical skills align with a charity’s core mission and needs.
- Stage 3: Sustained impact – Following placement, applicants benefit from a comprehensive post-placement support system, including structured 30/60/90-day check-ins and a peer learning network to ensure long-term board integration and governance success.
Ketty Lawrence, vice chair of Scotland Women in Technology said: “Boards continue to face an image and access challenge, with just 13% of charity boards achieving gender parity. While the value of diverse boards is clear, too many women are still locked out of governance opportunities. The Lovelace Report 2025 highlighted the lack of meaningful development opportunities as a key barrier for women in technology. This is exactly the gap we are stepping in to address.
“By funding this pilot, we are opening up a practical pathway for women to step into board roles and shape decision-making. The Digital Trustees programme offers a powerful route to build leadership, influence and strategic confidence at board level. Through this work, we aim to challenge the status quo and support more women to drive impact across the third sector.”
Ross McCulloch, director, Third Sector Lab, added: “In Scotland, digital transformation frequently stalls at the boardroom door. While technology is driving the modern economy, 41% of charities have no digital representation on their boards but are experiencing major challenges when it comes to cyber security and AI. Our partnership with SWiT will further support the sector and help them understand the art of the possible, gaining access to real technical experts, all while modernising the perception of what a board looks like.”
A beneficiary of the pre-SWit Digital Trustee’s programme, Tessa Quinn, who was matched with the Scottish Seabird Centre, said: “Technology is no longer a male domain. Some of the brightest, most creative and pragmatic digital leaders I know are women. With the need for a robust and ethical tech approach essential for almost all charities now, and the woeful figures on gender parity – just recruit more women from tech to your boards.”
Since launch, Digital Trustees has seen six cohorts and almost 200 people join third sector boards across the UK. The deadline to apply to be part of the cohort is Sunday 17 May. Find out more here.
Source: Prolific North