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Anne-Marie Imafidon, named Young IT Professional of the Year 2013, at the UK IT Industry Awards, run by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, has recently received her MBE from the Queen.    

Anne-Marie, regularly voted as one of the most influential women in IT in the UK, is, aged 27, the youngest scientist ever to be awarded an MBE.

Ann-Marie is CEO and co-founder of Stemettes - an award-winning social enterprise inspiring the next generation of females into Science and Technology.

Anne-Marie recently said: “I am absolutely ecstatic beyond words to be honoured in this way. Winning the UKIT Award four years ago it provided me with great opportunities to progress in the IT industry. IT is truly at the heart of much of our society today I love being a woman in tech. Most of all, I love working in technology. I loved the feeling I got as a 4-year-old when I saved my version of little Red Riding Hood on my dad’s computer. I especially introducing girls to technology, seeing expressions on their faces as they create their first app or publish their first game.”

Anne-Marie was part of the BCS Women in IT campaign in 2014, a month-long campaign to encourage women of all ages, from young students to women returners, to consider a career in IT and join the professionals.  30 influential women in IT volunteered to act as role models and, through blogs and video interviews, shared their stories and thoughts about the profession.

She has led the Stemettes team since she founded the organisation back in February 2013 - to inspire and build up the pipeline of young women going into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) careers, after discovering the falling numbers going into her industry.

Sarah Burnett, Chair of BCSWomen, says: “I am delighted that Anne-Marie has been recognised for her contribution to the IT industry. Anne-Marie has worked tirelessly in showing young women what an amazing career IT offers. Role models are very important for showing girls and women what they can achieve in this profession; IT is at the heart of almost every aspect of our society and we need women to be part of the creation of the next generation of IT.”

Read Anne Marie’s feature on the BCS Women in IT campaign in 2014.

Read more information on the UK IT Industry Awards.

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