Sadia Chuhan was chosen as Rising Star of the Year at this year's FDM everywoman in Technology Awards.

This awards supported by techUK champions the advancement of women in technology and STEM careers. The award ceremony took place at the London Hilton Hotel and was attended by over 500 global business leaders The winning role models demonstrate both the diversity of talents needed by the technology industry and the breadth of career opportunities IT can offer women.

Winners include corporate leaders from large PLCs, entrepreneurs exploiting tech for accelerated business growth and young go-getters forecast to be the technology champions of tomorrow.

Sadia is an Apprentice IT Project Manager with Thomson Reuters.

She has worked in the prominently male environment of the company datacentre doing a physical and sometimes dirty job.

She has contributed to the refurbishment of the datacentre space, taken responsibility for media management and recently started training two new apprentices as well as playing an active role in the recruitment of new cohorts.

Sadia was nominated for Apprentice of the Year and won the Information Technology Student of the Year award at her college.

She recently presented to colleagues at a Technology UnConference on her experiences, and her positive attitude has been credited as the catalyst for the expansion of the Apprentice Scheme in Thomson Reuters, giving other young people opportunities to excel.

Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business Innovation & Skills in supporting the Awards said, “Congratulations to all of the winners. As role models and ambassadors you are instrumental in inspiring women to follow in your footsteps and pursue a career in technology.

"It is vital that we challenge the perception of the technology industry as being for men only, and make sure that all sectors in our economy attract the best talent, regardless of gender.”

Maxine Benson MBE, co-founder of everywoman said, “The UK’s technology sector is booming, but there is still an imbalance in terms of the gender make-up of its workforce.

"These incredible winners today are demonstrative of the huge opportunity there is for future generations to make their mark and achieve success. We hope that by raising awareness of their achievements, in future years, there will be greater gender equality and appreciation of the diversity within the tech sector.”

Sheila Flavell, chief operating officer of title sponsor FDM Group added, “FDM is delighted to be the headline sponsor of the everywoman in technology awards for the third consecutive year. Congratulations to all the fantastic winners for 2015.

"Showcasing the incredible level of tech talent and celebrating these achievements is vital to achieving gender equality in IT.”

Julian David, CEO of techUK said, “techUK is delighted to support the 2015 FDM everywoman in Technology Awards.

"One of the biggest challenges for the UK tech sector is attracting appropriately skilled employees.

"We need a greater representation of the working population to join UK tech companies and help support the continued growth of the sector.

"In particular, we need to work hard to attract smart, skilled women who are not currently attracted to the sector and communicate the career opportunities in tech that are open to all. techUK will remain focused on attracting great women to the sector, retaining them and helping them to flourish and succeed.”