Stamford Bridge

TechGirl Festival

Empowering Future Female Leaders.

Chelsea FC Stadium - 25th August 2026

Become a mentor

Inspiring the next generation, led by today’s leaders

In partnership with Chelsea FC, the festival brings together ambitious young women aged 16+ in education and senior technology leaders to solve real-world digital transformation challenges.

As a mentor, you’ll have the opportunity to guide, inspire, and collaborate—helping participants develop practical solutions, sharing your leadership insights, and shaping the future of the industry.

This is your chance to give back, connect with future talent, and leave a leadership legacy.

TechGirl Awards
TechGirl

Get involved at TechGirl Festival

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Mentor a team

Guide a team as they develop real solutions, offering advice along the way.

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Share your story

Lead a session or chat—pass on what you’ve learned.

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Meet future talent

Connect with the next generation and fellow leaders on the day.

The Festival Challenge

Hosted at Chelsea Football Club, teams will tackle a real-world digital transformation problem:

How can technology improve Chelsea's ticketing, fan experience, and food & beverage systems?

With guidance and mentorship from senior technology leaders, teams will develop innovative, practical solutions and present them to a panel of industry experts and Chelsea decision-makers.

Cambridge United Women's Football Club
TechGirl

Purpose in action

At HotTopics, we believe leadership is about action. Our community of 20,000+ senior executives thrives on connecting leaders and inspiring action—and TechGirl sits at the heart of that purpose.

We know many in our community want to give back, support rising talent, and help close the diversity gap in technology. TechGirl is how we make that happen—providing a platform to mentor, champion, and empower the next generation.

As members of the HotTopics community, we don’t just talk about the future of tech—we actively build it.

TechGirl Festival agenda

09:30 → 10:30
Welcome to the TechGirl Festival
Chelsea Football Club
  • Arrivals
  • HotTopics and CUFC Welcome
  • Event agenda rundown and digital challenge rules
10:30 - 13:00
Creative Sprint: Innovate and build
Chelsea Football Club
  • Introduction and challenge briefing
  • Team formation and strategy sessions
  • Hands-on mentorship and idea development
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch
Chelsea Football Club
14:00 → 14:45
Tour
Chelsea Football Club
14:45 - 15:30
Presentations and winner(s) selection
Chelsea Football Club
  • Team presentations to the judging panel (5 mins each)
  • Thought leadership panels and networking
  • Work experience sign-ups with HotTopics mentors
15:30 → 16:30
Winners selection
Chelsea Football Club
16:30 - 17:00
Closing remarks and future vision
Chelsea Football Club
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TechGirl mentors

TechGirl is built by the leaders who power today’s tech industry. Join us in shaping the future of technology.

Amy Jones

Amy Jones

Chief Transformation Officer, Emerald Publishing

Anna Barsby

Anna Barsby

Founder and Managing Partner, Tessiant

Anna Verdian

Anna Verdian

CDO/Adviser, Axelrod

Aylin Orial

Aylin Orial

CEO & Chief Innovation Officer (Krytheon) & CEO/CTO (Think Techmode), Krytheon and Think Techmode

Charlotte Baldwin

Charlotte Baldwin

CIO, Burberry

Christina Scott

Christina Scott

Chief Product & Technology Officer, RWS

Christo Gouws

Christo Gouws

Technology & Data Director, Marine Stewardship Council

Darryl Beckford

Darryl Beckford

Chief Architect, Marks and Spencer

Dia Nag

Dia Nag

Director UK&I Public Sector - Strategy and Digital Transformation, Capgemini Invent

Dianna Pieper

Dianna Pieper

CEO and Founder, Executive Technology Advisor, Innovus Techne

Eugi Bartolo

Eugi Bartolo

CTO, Performance.io

Georgina Owens

Georgina Owens

CTO, Luxion Group

Giles Lindsay

Giles Lindsay

CIO Advisory, Government of Jersey

James Maunder

James Maunder

Director of Information Technology, King Edward VII's Hospital

Jason Parkhouse

Jason Parkhouse

VP Technology Operations & VP ITSM and Operations, Experian

Jevern Partridge

Jevern Partridge

CIO - UK and Ireland, Rexel UK Limited

Joanna Pamphilis

Joanna Pamphilis

Founder and CEO, JP Global Consulting

Krenar Muhidini

Krenar Muhidini

Director of Software Development, EML Payments

Lara Burns

Lara Burns

Consultant and Advisory Board Member, Self employed

Laura Prietula

Laura Prietula

Senior Advisor to the CIO and PDAS, US Department of Veterans Affairs

Lauren Dally

Lauren Dally

Technology Director, everywhen

Lauren Wilson

Lauren Wilson

Field CTO & Strategic Advisor, Splunk

Mathew Mallett

Mathew Mallett

Board Advisor / CIO, Root Cause Clinical

Mauli Tikkiwal

Mauli Tikkiwal

Group CIO, CWS Hygiene International

Mollie Brentnall

Mollie Brentnall

Director of IT, Crawford and Company

Nadia Bainbridge

Nadia Bainbridge

Group Head of Digital Innovation and Product, Oasis Group

Nareni Hourican

Nareni Hourican

Board Advisor & Fractional Executive (CMO/CDO/CGO), Tech Beauty & Fashion Startups

Nina Tatsiy

Nina Tatsiy

CIO, Quadient

Paul Smith

Paul Smith

CIO, Amnesty International

Peter Laflin

Peter Laflin

Director of Data & Analytics, Morrisons Supermarkets

Raghava Krishna

Raghava Krishna

Technology Director - Digital & AI, The AA

Rubi Kaur

Rubi Kaur

Chief Enterprise Architect Financial Services, Lloyds Banking Group

Steven Anthony Silverman

Steven Anthony Silverman

Co-Director of DDaT, Save the Children Fund

Partner with TechGirl

Join an initiative shaping the future of tech by empowering the next generation of female leaders. As a partner, you’ll align your brand with a purpose-driven mission, gaining visibility among the world’s top tech executives.

Your support—whether through mentorship, sponsorship, or resources—creates real impact, opening doors for young women in technology. Partnering with TechGirl also connects you with future talent, helping build a stronger, more diverse industry.

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Register for the TechGirl Festival