Tracy Pound

Founder and managing director of Maximity and co-founder and director of Prizm Solutions

Career history: Global IT manager at Druid Group; group IT manager at BTR Anti-Vibration Systems; IT manager at Tudor Webasto.

Measure of influence: Maximity's turnover has grown by 50 per cent over the last two years

Activities to advance women in tech: Active member of Advancing Women in IT; offers career advice through Young Enterprise; regular speaker at events about women in IT; mentors women in the channel

How should the IT channel encourage more girls and women to work in it?

Be aware of the impression you make with the language and imagery you use. Unconscious bias plays a big part in how people decide what they can and can't do.